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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.


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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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Like the Florida storyline, the French Polynesia study is about going back, trying to relocate a spectacular example and finding out what it means for the resurgence of sharks in general.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 2, 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

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

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

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