Polynesia

[ pol-uh-nee-zhuh, -shuh ]

noun

1. one of the three principal divisions of Oceania, comprising those island groups in the Pacific Ocean lying east of Melanesia and Micronesia and extending from the Hawaiian Islands south to New Zealand.

Polynesia

/ -ʒɪə; ˌpɒlɪˈniːʒə /

noun

1. one of the three divisions of islands in the Pacific, the others being Melanesia and Micronesia: includes Samoa, Society, Marquesas, Mangareva, Tuamotu, Cook, and Tubuai Islands, and Tonga

Polynesia

1. Group of islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean , including the islands of the state of Hawaii and the islands of French Polynesia. Tahiti and Samoa are in Polynesia, which means “many islands.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Polynesia¹

C18: via French from poly- + Greek nēsos island

Example Sentences

The moment Captain Strathmore learned these facts, he caused an abrupt change to be made in the course of the Polynesia.

From Project Gutenberg

The stranger instantly reversed her screw, while the Polynesia was equally prompt in her backward movement.

From Project Gutenberg

The Polynesia had been running at half speed ever since the sun went down, and her whistle blew at irregular intervals.

From Project Gutenberg

His supposition was that she would be speedily missed from the Polynesia, which would at once make search for the schooner.

From Project Gutenberg

But no sign of the Polynesia 55 was discovered through the powerful binocular glasses with which Captain Bergen swept the horizon.

From Project Gutenberg