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

All 75 people aboard were successfully rescued from the vessel as it began listing off the coast of the Samoan island Upolu exactly a year ago.

From BBC

Work began in September 2023 and has caused delays for people trying to get between the island and the mainland.

From BBC

The areas worst hit include the Highlands and islands, Aberdeen and Stirlingshire.

From BBC

Soon after the end of the trial she retreated to Île de Ré, a small island off France's Atlantic coast.

From BBC

Now he’s hoping for approval from Washington’s wildlife agency to release stars in a small urchin barren developing on the west side of the island where his lab is located.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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