Canary Islands

American  

plural noun

1. a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic Ocean, near the NW coast of Africa, comprising two provinces of Spain. 2,894 sq. mi. (7,495 sq. km).

---

Canary Islands British  

plural noun

1. a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic off the NW coast of Africa, forming an Autonomous Community of Spain. Pop: 1 944 700 (2003 est)

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Canarian
  adjective

Example Sentences

After Barcelona, he visits the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday where he will focus on immigration as the Atlantic archipelago is a key entry point to Europe for irregular migrants.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Now in Spain's Canary Islands, one of the main entry points into Europe for African migrants, he hopes to build a future that will allow him to support his family in Senegal.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Only the ship's crew were aboard for the last leg of the journey, as all passengers docked off the ship in the Canary Islands between 10 and 11 May.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The WHO and the European Union then requested that Spain allow the ship to sail to the Canary Islands and coordinate the repatriation of those on board.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

She went to the Canary Islands to learn how they talk in whistles in the mountains.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina