island
Americannoun
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islands
plural
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a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.
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something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.
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a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, especially a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.
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a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.
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a clump of woodland in a prairie.
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an isolated hill.
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Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.
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Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.
verb (used with object)
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to make into an island.
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to dot with islands.
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to place on an island; isolate.
noun
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a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent
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See traffic island
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anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundings
verb
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to cause to become an island
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to intersperse with islands
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to place on an island; insulate; isolate
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of island
First recorded before 900; Middle English iland, Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, from īeg “island” (cognate with Old Norse ey ) + land land; spelling with -s- by association with isle
Explanation
An island is a piece of land that is surrounded on all sides by water. Some islands are so small that a beach chair and umbrella barely fit on them and some are big enough to contain a whole nation. To get to an island you must take a boat, bridge or airplane — be a strong swimmer. If you can get there by land it’s not an island, though it may be a peninsula, like Florida. There are many famous islands, like Manhattan and the islands of Hawaii. Things that are free-standing can also be called islands, like the island made of cabinets and a counter that is found in some kitchens — it's not connected to anything else.
Vocabulary lists containing island
Physical Geography - Introductory
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Physical Geography - Middle School
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Physical Geography - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In the wake of the 2011 bomb and gun attacks on Oslo and the island of Utøya, Harald appealed to Norwegians to support each other and not "let fear take over".
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
Question: “I believe you told the Financial Conduct Authority that you spent a single night on Mr. Epstein’s island with your wife.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
In 2010, Carretero and Jones Molina founded the production company called Experimento Lúdico in the western town of Mayagüez with the intent of decentralizing production on the island.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
A big spill would have devastating effects on marine and coastal ecosystems, Rosenstrom said, standing on the cliffs of the island, with the sea stretching out behind her.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Nim’s beautiful island was shredded and messy with bits of hut, pieces of shirts and desk, coconuts, palm branches, broken trees, and lying-down bushes.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
The number of Chinese ships detected around Taiwan and several of its outer islands since May is 1,247, coast guard figures show.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Large, flat-topped icebergs are relatively common around Antarctica, but comparable ice islands are much less frequently seen in the Arctic.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands depended first on sugar plantations and then the pineapple industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Yes, we do have that reputation on these islands, and I’m incredibly proud of it, because you know what it does?
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
I looked at the islands scattered along the lower half of Mr. Patterson’s map and settled into the back seat to dig up a postcard for Fred.
From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
