island

American  

[ahy-luhnd] / ˈaɪ lənd /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make into an island.

2. to dot with islands.

3. to place on an island; isolate.

island British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to cause to become an island

2. to intersperse with islands

3. to place on an island; insulate; isolate

island Scientific  

/ ī′lənd /

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

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Other Word Forms

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

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

Example Sentences

The deployment of Soviet nuclear missile sites on the island triggered the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, when Washington and Moscow took the world to the brink of nuclear war.

From Barron's

Lihou is a small island off the west coast of Guernsey, which is only accessible at low tide and is run by a charity.

From BBC

A man who was attempting to reach an island off the coast of Edinburgh using an inflatable mattress has been rescued after falling into the sea.

From BBC

While some of the country’s islands were within the boundaries of the designated debris zone, most were not.

From Salon

The chef’s kitchen is entirely white, including the tile backsplash, and comes complete with state-of-the-art appliances, a large island, and a chandelier.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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