island
Americannoun
-
islands
plural
-
a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.
-
something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.
-
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.
-
a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.
-
a clump of woodland in a prairie.
-
an isolated hill.
-
Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.
-
Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.
verb (used with object)
-
to make into an island.
-
to dot with islands.
-
to place on an island; isolate.
noun
-
a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent
-
See traffic island
-
anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundings
verb
-
to cause to become an island
-
to intersperse with islands
-
to place on an island; insulate; isolate
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Explanation
An island is a piece of land that is surrounded on all sides by water. Some islands are so small that a beach chair and umbrella barely fit on them and some are big enough to contain a whole nation. To get to an island you must take a boat, bridge or airplane — be a strong swimmer. If you can get there by land it’s not an island, though it may be a peninsula, like Florida. There are many famous islands, like Manhattan and the islands of Hawaii. Things that are free-standing can also be called islands, like the island made of cabinets and a counter that is found in some kitchens — it's not connected to anything else.
Vocabulary lists containing island
Physical Geography - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Physical Geography - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Physical Geography - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Life on the island can be as challenging today as it was for those who came before.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
The US Treasury also sanctioned Malaysian Chui Kok Wa for his alleged role as the leader of a scam network in the African island nation of Madagascar.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
In an isolated island village, a namesake challenge to Sen. Dan S. Sullivan seemed harmless—until the candidate vanished and federal agents started knocking on doors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Thankfully it did not make landfall in Taiwan, skirting past the island while dousing it in rain.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Alex pointed to a spot on the chart, a little way east of Nim’s island.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
And in the Bahamas, the King joined dancers during a Junakanoo, a traditional carnival celebrating the culture of the islands dating back to the days of slavery.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The exit of the four countries leaves 18 on the FATF's grey list, including Bosnia, Bolivia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the British Virgin islands.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Now resting on the seabed between two islands, it is apparent the ship likely sought refuge in the lee waters during a storm.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
Golf is vastly different in the Hebrides, two archipelagoes off the west coast of Scotland, all but one of the islands accessible only by ferry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
But then I dive deeper and realize that many of the tiny islands only have resorts.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
