Bahamas

American  

[buh-hah-muhz, -hay-] / bəˈhɑ məz, -ˈheɪ- /

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) a group of islands in the W Atlantic Ocean, SE of Florida.

2. (used with a singular verb) an independent country comprising this group: formerly a British colony; gained independence 1973. 4,404 sq. mi. (11,406 sq. km). Nassau.

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Bahamas British  

/ bəˈhɑːməz /

plural noun

1. a group of over 700 coral islands (about 20 of which are inhabited) in the Caribbean: a British colony from 1783 until 1964; an independent nation within the Commonwealth from 1973. Language: English. Currency: Bahamian dollar. Capital: Nassau. Pop: 319 031 (2013 est). Area: 13 939 sq km (5381 sq miles)

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Bahamas Cultural  

1. Republic in the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of 700 islands and islets and 2,400 smaller islands, called cays.

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Discover More

The Bahamas were under the control of Britain until 1973, when they became an independent, self-governing state.

The Bahamas are a popular winter resort.

Other Word Forms

• Bahamian
  noun

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Bahamas

One woman I met stayed on the ship during the stop in the Bahamas to watch rom-coms all day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

The Learjet 60 was bound for the Bahamas from Austin when it nosedived into a multi-lane highway.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

The plane departed from Austin, Texas, and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Somoza made it to Miami as his regime collapsed during the Sandinista revolution, then moved on to the Bahamas and ultimately to Paraguay, then under the rule of military dictator Alfredo Stroessner.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026

His boat had stopped to pick up the Cubans on an island off the Bahamas.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

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