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

The flight from Melbourne was headed to Dallas on Friday when it was forced to make a stop-off in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, due to the disruptive passenger.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

She first flew from San Francisco to Tahiti and then onwards to the isle of Mangareva in outer French Polynesia.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

French Polynesia said passengers on the same flight as the woman from San Francisco to Tahiti were not considered close contacts and "the risk of infection is considered very low".

From BBC • May 13, 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

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