Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for atoll

atoll

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

noun

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


atoll

/ əˈtɒl; ˈætɒl /

noun

  1. a circular coral reef or string of coral islands surrounding a lagoon
“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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of atoll1

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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of atoll1

C17: from atollon, native name in the Maldive Islands
Discover More

Example Sentences

Yet as coral reef ecologist Alexandra Dempsey explored the atolls’ beautiful coral reefs in 2015, she nevertheless found signs of human pollution.

From Salon

This includes the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, used by the US government as a military base for its navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft.

From BBC

Approaching by plane, coconut trees and thick foliage are visible across the 44 sq km footprint-shaped atoll, the greenery punctuated by white military structures.

From BBC

March 21, 2024Officials with the Brando resort say they provided an incorrect figure — 400 meters — for the length of the pipe through the atoll’s reef.

A group of 10 activists managed to evade the Chinese blockade by at least 46 ships in the outlying waters on Wednesday and distributed food and fuel to Filipinos fishing closer to the atoll.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement