Bahamas

American  

[buh-hah-muhz, -hey-] / 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

Example Sentences

According to multiple reports, the couple held an intimate ceremony in Florida before planning a separate gathering on a private island in the Bahamas.

From Salon • May 23, 2026

Trump had said a day earlier that the Iran war made it "bad timing" for him to attend Donald Trump Jr's wedding to Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas this weekend.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The top California gasoline suppliers by far are South Korea, the Bahamas and India.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

Police in the Bahamas are searching for an American woman who disappeared after reportedly falling overboard from a small boat while vacationing with her husband.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

So far we’d only gone to the Bahamas once, Florida, and Montreal—but my parents are always talking about taking us to Europe someday.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio