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

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

The U.S. stepped up its intelligence-gathering efforts on Greenland this summer, directing intelligence-agency heads to learn more about Greenland’s independence movement and attitudes on American involvement on the island, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The tourism sector on the Indian Ocean island, which is famous for its unique wildlife, is among the hardest hit with the situation catching most people by surprise.

Read more on BBC

Special operations forces have been sighted by neighbouring Caribbean islands, such as Trinidad and Tobago.

Read more on BBC

In 1970, she and a friend traveled across Afghanistan, into Northern Africa, and eventually wound up on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Naval officials and experts say that any conflict over the self-ruled island would involve the large-scale use of submarines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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