atoll

[ at-awl, -ol, -ohl, uh-tawl, uh-tol, uh-tohl ]

/ ˈæt ɔl, -ɒl, -oʊl, əˈtɔl, əˈtɒl, əˈtoʊl /

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noun

a ring-shaped coral reef or a string of closely spaced small coral islands, enclosing or nearly enclosing a shallow lagoon.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of atoll

First recorded in 1615–25; earlier atollon, from French: a word used in early descriptions of the Maldive Island atolls; said to be Divehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldives) atoḷu

Words nearby atoll

ATN, at. no., ATO, at odds, A to J, atoll, atom, atom-bomb, atomic, atomic age, atomic bomb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use atoll in a sentence

An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island or chain of islands around a body of water called a lagoon.
Scientists Say: Atoll|Maria Temming|November 15, 2021|Science News For Students
An atoll forms when an underwater volcano spills lava onto the seafloor.
Scientists Say: Atoll|Maria Temming|November 15, 2021|Science News For Students
The Bikinians expected to return to their atoll in a few months.
Experimenting with hydrogen bombs, the U.S. blew lives apart|Gregg Herken|November 5, 2021|Washington Post
For those who prefer to experience the atoll’s natural wonders from the surface, Turneffe Flats offers the Adventure Atoll program, which combines snorkeling, kayak and land tours to gain a better understanding of the region’s ecosystems.
With covid protocols, a Caribbean fly-fishing haven is back in business|Chris Santella|April 2, 2021|Washington Post

Green sea turtles have used the atoll as an incubator for hundreds or thousands of generations, or perhaps longer.
How Sea Turtles Find Their Way - Issue 94: Evolving|Jason G. Goldman|December 16, 2020|Nautilus
Plus, Kate and William could hardly have picked a worse time for their luxury vacation to a resort in Noonu atoll.
William and Kate Leave Baby George Behind As They Jet Off On Maldive Holiday|Tom Sykes|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Local paper HaveeryOnline reports that the royal couple are known to be spending their vacation at a resort in Noonu atoll.
ANOTHER Vacay for Kate and William|Tom Sykes|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
First, you would have to decide that the atoll was a viable option.
Amelia Earhart Breakthrough? Don’t Bet On It|Clive Irving|June 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Above him, a still from the footage of the H-Bomb test at Bikini Atoll.
Awesome Surf Art|Brian Thomas Gallagher|July 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Atoll, the Polynesian name for coral islands of the ringed type enclosing a lagoon in the centre.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various
In 1891 a Committee of the British Association was formed for the investigation of an atoll by means of boring.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin
Bikini Atoll, scientists believed, needed only clearing and cultivation to make it once again suitable for human habitation.
Atoms, Nature, and Man|Neal O. Hines
They took samples of fish in the open ocean outside the atoll and made comparative collections at other atolls.
Atoms, Nature, and Man|Neal O. Hines
But, in the case of the Atoll, the coral ring was present and so was the internal lagoon, but there was no rocky island.
The Meaning of Evolution|Samuel Christian Schmucker

British Dictionary definitions for atoll

atoll

/ (ˈætɒl, əˈtɒl) /

noun

a circular coral reef or string of coral islands surrounding a lagoon

Word Origin for atoll

C17: from atollon, native name in the Maldive Islands

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for atoll

atoll

[ ăt′ôl′, ā′tôl′ ]

A coral island or series of coral islands forming a ring that nearly or entirely encloses a shallow lagoon. Atolls are surrounded by deep ocean water and range in diameter from about 1 km (0.62 mi) to over 100 km (62 mi). They are especially common in the western and central Pacific Ocean and are believed to form along the fringes of underwater volcanoes. Compare barrier reef fringing reef.

Cultural definitions for atoll

atoll

[ (a-tawl, a-tol, ay-tawl, ay-tol) ]

A coral island that surrounds a lagoon. (See coral reef.)

atoll

Origin of atoll

Words nearby atoll

Words related to atoll

How to use atoll in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for atoll

Word Origin for atoll

Scientific definitions for atoll

Cultural definitions for atoll