Ireland

American  

[ahyuhr-luhnd] / ˈaɪər lənd /

noun

1. John, 1838–1918, U.S. Roman Catholic clergyman and social reformer, born in Ireland: archbishop of St. Paul, Minnesota, 1888–1918.

2. Latin Hibernia.  Also called Emerald Isle.  a large western island of the British Isles, comprising Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 32,375 sq. mi. (83,850 sq. km).

3. Irish Eire.   Eire.  Formerly Irish Free State.  Republic of Ireland. a republic occupying most of the island of Ireland. 27,137 sq. mi. (70,285 sq. km). Dublin.

4. Heraldry. a coat of arms blazoned as follows: Azure, a harp or stringed argent.

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Ireland ¹ British  

/ ˈaɪələnd /

noun

1. Latin name: Hibernia.  an island off NW Europe: part of the British Isles, separated from Britain by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel; contains large areas of peat bog, with mountains that rise over 900 m (3000 ft) in the southwest and several large lakes. It was conquered by England in the 16th and early 17th centuries and ruled as a dependency until 1801, when it was united with Great Britain until its division in 1921 into the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland

2. a republic in NW Europe occupying most of Ireland: established as the Irish Free State (a British dominion) in 1921 and declared a republic in 1949; joined the European Community (now the European Union) in 1973. Official languages: Irish (Gaelic) and English. Currency: euro. Capital: Dublin. Pop: 4 775 982 (2013 est). Area: 70 285 sq km (27 137 sq miles)

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Ireland ² British  

/ ˈaɪələnd /

noun

1. John ( Nicholson ). 1879–1962, English composer, esp of songs

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Ireland Cultural  

1. Island in the Atlantic Ocean separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. It is divided into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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Discover More

It is called the “Emerald Isle” because of its lush green countryside.

Other Word Forms

• Irelander
  noun

Example Sentences

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against Ireland for an elbow during a qualifying match for this World Cup.

From Barron's • Jul. 5, 2026

Under Fifa's disciplinary code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O'Shea during Portugal's 2-0 qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own compensation schemes for miscarriages of justice.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026

Anderson, from Northern Ireland, is a former creative director at Loewe, and took over Dior last year.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026

One edition highlighted a black-initiated petition calling on President Wilson to give Ireland a voice in determining international policy on postwar issues.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield