Hebrides

American  

[heb-ri-deez] / ˈhɛb rɪˌdiz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a group of islands Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides off the W coast of and belonging to Scotland. About 2,900 sq. mi. (7,500 sq. km).

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Hebrides British  

/ ˈhɛbrɪˌdiːz /

plural noun

1. Also known as: the Western Isles.  a group of over 500 islands off the W coast of Scotland: separated by the North Minch, Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides: the chief islands are Skye, Raasay, Rum, Eigg, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Jura, Colonsay, and Islay ( Inner Hebrides ), and Lewis with Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra ( Outer Hebrides )

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Other Word Forms

• Hebridean adjective
• Hebridian adjective

Example Sentences

They are waulking the wool, an age-old tradition for rendering tweed soft and airtight so that it might keep the shepherds of the Scottish Hebrides warm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The strongest winds will initially be felt in the Outer and Inner Hebrides before spreading into northern mainland Scotland and Orkney later on.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

The Outer Hebrides followed closely at one in 62, and Northern Ireland at one in 71.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2026

People with roots in the Outer Hebrides and north west Ireland face the highest known risk of developing hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2026

Julia said it’s like the Hebrides and she’s right.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell