island

[ahy-luhnd]

noun

1. a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.

2. something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.

3. 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.

4. safety island.

5. a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.

6. a clump of woodland in a prairie.

7. an isolated hill.

8. Anatomy.,  an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.

9. Railroads.,  a platform or building between sets of tracks.

verb (used with object)

1. to make into an island.

2. to dot with islands.

3. to place on an island; isolate.

island

/ ˈaɪlənd /

noun

1. a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent

2. See traffic island

3. anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundings

verb

1. to cause to become an island

2. to intersperse with islands

3. to place on an island; insulate; isolate

island

1. A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.

Other Word Forms

• islandish adjective
• islandlike adjective
• islandless adjective
• island-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of island¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of island¹

Old English īgland, from īg island + _land ; s inserted through influence of _isle

Example Sentences

He owns Little Pecan, a private island in the Louisiana marshes and a hunting paradise.

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On the way to Othello they could hop on poor Robinson Crusoe for not saying ‘Mr. Friday’ on the island.”

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In September, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute, the cradle of the island’s chip industry, awarded Lo one of its highest honors for his technological feats.

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A landslide on the French Pacific island of Tahiti that buried two homes killed at least seven people and left others missing, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.

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Its 7.5 million residents are squeezed into islands covered in steep hills.

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Related Words

• archipelago 
• enclave 
• isle 
• islet 
• peninsula 
• reef