Okinawa

American  

[oh-kuh-nou-wuh, -nah-wuh, aw-kee-nah-wah] / ˌoʊ kəˈnaʊ wə, -ˈnɑ wə, ˈɔ kiˈnɑ wɑ /

noun

1. the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, in the N Pacific, SW of Japan: taken by U.S. forces April–June 1945 in the last major amphibious campaign of World War II. 544 sq. mi. (1,409 sq. km).

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Okinawa British  

/ ˌəʊkɪˈnɑːwə /

noun

1. a coral island of SW Japan, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands in the N Pacific: scene of heavy fighting in World War II; administered by the US (1945–72); agricultural. Chief town: Naha. Pop: 1 318 218 (2000). Area: 1176 sq km (454 sq miles)

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Okinawa Cultural  

1. Island in the western Pacific Ocean; part of Japan.

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During World War II, American forces seized the island from Japan in a particularly bloody campaign. It was returned to Japan in 1972.

Other Word Forms

• Okinawan
  adjective

Example Sentences

To investigate Japan's deep genetic history, researchers analyzed DNA samples collected from seven regions stretching from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

Jomon ancestry appeared strongest in Okinawa, where it was found in 28.5% of samples, while western Japan showed much lower levels at 13.4%.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

A Marine expeditionary unit was sent from Okinawa to the region for the potential operation.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

While the U.S. and Japanese militaries have long operated on the island of Okinawa, Tokyo placed few defenses on other southwestern islands until about a decade ago.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

This was before our forces landed on such awful places as Tarawa and Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac