British Isles

American  

plural noun

1. a group of islands in W Europe: Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and adjacent small islands. 120,592 sq. mi. (312,300 sq. km).

---

British Isles British  

plural noun

1. a group of islands in W Europe, consisting of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Orkney, Shetland, the Channel Islands belonging to Great Britain, and the islands adjacent to these

---

British Isles Cultural  

1. The islands of Great Britain and Ireland and a number of smaller islands off their coasts.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

British Isles

The measure, which most sets apart the Jersey legislation from the rest of the British Isles, concerns the manner in which those eligible for an assisted death can end their lives.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

It is priority-listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, which describes it as "likely the most ancient native cattle in the British Isles".

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

The island is particularly well placed to see the partial eclipse, sitting just outside the path of totality, making it one of the best places in the British Isles to see it.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

When it comes into law, which is expected in a few days' time, Jersey will be the first part of the British Isles where assisted dying is legalised.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

On January 31, 1917, the German ambassador in Washington informed the American government that Germany was about to resume unrestricted submarine warfare against all vessels approaching the British Isles.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---