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 fresh rally came after the Gen Z movement called for a general strike and rejected President Andry Rajoelina's attempts to defuse the tensions rocking the Indian Ocean island.

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Polls opened in the Indian Ocean islands nation of the Seychelles on Thursday for a presidential run-off, with environmental and economic questions at the forefront of the election.

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The EU Court of Justice on Thursday handed Greece a heavy daily fine for failing to shut down an illegal landfill in a key marine park on the tourist island of Zakynthos.

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China claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has said it will not renounce using force to bring it under its control.

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Having nearly depleted their island’s resources, and lacking a large enough canoe to leave, they face eventual extinction.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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