Iceland

[ahys-luh nd]

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.

Related formsIce·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for iceland

Contemporary Examples of iceland

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
“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
Nowadays Iceland and its Nordic neighbours are more trendy than ever.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland
Adam LeBor
May 26, 2014
The landscape here, like all of Iceland, has a primeval majesty.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland
Adam LeBor
May 26, 2014
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

Historical Examples of iceland

Iceland, men call it now, but surely it has as much fire as ice.
Classic Myths
Mary Catherine Judd
It was on the model of the Constitution just established in Iceland.
The Little Manx Nation - 1891
Hall Caine
It is the old Icelandic ordinance, but it has gone from Iceland.
The Little Manx Nation - 1891
Hall Caine
There is, for example, a Snaefell in Man as well as in Iceland.
The Little Manx Nation - 1891
Hall Caine
The father had come from Iceland, and lived in poor circumstances.
Great Men and Famous Women, Vol. 8 (of 8)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for iceland

Iceland

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

iceland in Culture

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.

Note

Iceland proclaimed its independence from Denmark in 1944.

Note

It is a member of NATO.

Note

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.