French Polynesia

American  

[french pol-uh--nee-zhuh, pol-uh-nee-shuh] / ˈfrɛntʃ ˌpɒl ə ˈni ʒə, ˌpɒl əˈni ʃə /

noun

1. a French overseas territory in the southern Pacific, including the Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, and other scattered island groups. 1,544 sq. mi. (4,000 sq. km). Papeete.

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French Polynesia British  

noun

1. Former name (until 1958): French Oceania.  a French Overseas Country (formerly Territory) in the S Pacific Ocean, including the Society Islands, the Tuamotu group, the Gambier group, the Tubuai Islands, and the Marquesas Islands. Capital: Papeete, on Tahiti. Pop: 277 293 (2013 est). Area: about 4000 sq km (1500 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

"They poisoned us," Hinamoeura Cross, a 37-year-old Tahitian parliamentarian who was aged seven when France detonated its last nuclear explosion near her home in French Polynesia in 1996.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

She was later "shocked" to discover that rather than a handful of harmless "tests", France conducted 193 explosions in French Polynesia between 1966 and 1996.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

A year later, Brichon came across a deal from Regent Seven Seas Cruises advertising a journey to French Polynesia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

In French Polynesia, officials raised predicted wave heights for Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands to 4m, with smaller waves of just under a metre expected on surrounding islands.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2025

French Polynesia:   The French annexed various Polynesian island   groups during the 19th century.

From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency