Iceland

[ ahys-luh nd ]

/ ˈaɪs lənd /

noun

a large island in the N Atlantic between Greenland and Scandinavia. 39,698 sq. mi. (102,820 sq. km).

a republic including this island and several smaller islands: formerly Danish; independent since 1944. Capital: Reykjavik.

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Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz

Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.

Question 1 of 7

schlep

to say or do hesitantly or awkwardly

to fold or wind around something

to carry; lug

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OTHER WORDS FROM Iceland

Ice·land·er

[ahys-lan-der, -luh n-der] /ˈaɪsˌlæn dər, -lən dər/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for iceland

Nowadays Iceland and its Nordic neighbours are more trendy than ever.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland|Adam LeBor|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Iceland has more writers and publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland|Adam LeBor|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“For us in Iceland this is not a very interesting question,” President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson says.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland|Adam LeBor|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The landscape here, like all of Iceland, has a primeval majesty.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland|Adam LeBor|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

From the wild weather to the harsh landscape, Iceland has its fair share of mystifying phenomena.
The Elf Whisperer of Iceland|Kevin Fallon|May 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the close of the heroic literature of Iceland a number of general causes are to be found at work.
Epic and Romance|W. P. Ker
Now, sulphur I knew to be a product of Iceland, and I judged from this that the ship had touched at that northern island.
The Pilots of Pomona|Robert Leighton
When superheated and emitted from many vents, this easily melted lava builds great plateaus, such as that of Iceland.
The Elements of Geology|William Harmon Norton
In the twelfth century, Iceland had an alphabet and the art of writing.
The Ethnology of the British Islands|Robert Gordon Latham
Try it in Iceland a while, and see how long your inspiration will last!
The Land of Thor|J. Ross Browne

British Dictionary definitions for iceland

Iceland

/ (ˈaɪslənd) /

noun

an island republic in the N Atlantic, regarded as part of Europe: settled by Norsemen, who established a legislative assembly in 930; under Danish rule (1380–1918); gained independence in 1918 and became a republic in 1944; contains large areas of glaciers, snowfields, and lava beds with many volcanoes and hot springs (the chief source of domestic heat); inhabited chiefly along the SW coast. The economy is based largely on fishing and tourism. Official language: Icelandic. Official religion: Evangelical Lutheran. Currency: króna. Capital: Reykjavik. Pop: 315 281 (2013 est). Area: 102 828 sq km (39 702 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

Cultural definitions for iceland

Iceland

Island republic in the north Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle, west of Norway and southeast of Greenland. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik.

notes for Iceland

Iceland proclaimed its independence from Denmark in 1944.

notes for Iceland

It is a member of NATO.

notes for Iceland

A unique combination of glaciers and plate tectonics has resulted in an unusual land surface, dominated by a rugged coastline, hot springs, geysers, and volcanoes.