island

[ ahy-luh nd ]

/ ˈaɪ lənd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR island ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

safety island.

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.

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Question 1 of 10

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Origin of island

before 900; Middle English iland, Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, equivalent to īeg island (cognate with Old Norse ey) + land land; spelling with -s- by association with isle

OTHER WORDS FROM island

is·land·ish, is·land·like, adjectiveis·land·less, adjective

Words nearby island

islamist, islamite, islamize, islamofascism, islamophobia, island, island arc, island flap, island of the sun, island universe, island-hop

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for islands

In 1957, the islands came under repeated shelling by Mainland--or as it was then called, “Red”-- China.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During a debate, the candidates were asked about the islands.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nixon said defending the two islands was “a matter of principle.”
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two islands are now tourist sites for visitors from Taiwan and mainland China.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Islands overrun by flawed people, both indigenous and imperialist.
How Haoles Destroyed Hawaii|Wendy Smith|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thence to the Iowa river the navigation is much obstructed with islands.
The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Volume I (of 3)|Elliott Coues
For four days we coasted thus, never out of sight of shore, and usually with islands between us and the main body of water.
Beyond the Frontier|Randall Parrish
Some authors relate, that after their return from Troy they colonized the Gymnasian islands.
The Geography of Strabo, Volume III (of 3)|Strabo
However, if you know so much about islands, you must also know how we happened to go into India—or Egypt.
The Best Short Stories of 1917|Various
There were no islands there, and to get away, I must make the other side.
Three Years on the Plains|Edmund B. Tuttle

British Dictionary definitions for islands (1 of 2)

Islands

/ (ˈaɪləndz) /

pl n

the Islands NZ the islands of the South Pacific

British Dictionary definitions for islands (2 of 2)

island

/ (ˈaɪlənd) /

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 surroundingsRelated adjective: insular

verb (tr) rare

to cause to become an island

to intersperse with islands

to place on an island; insulate; isolate

Derived forms of island

island-like, adjective

Word Origin for island

Old English īgland, from īg island + land; s inserted through influence of isle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for islands

island

[ ī′lənd ]

n.

An isolated tissue or group of cells that is separated from the surrounding tissues by a groove or is marked by a difference in structure or function.

Scientific definitions for islands

island

[ ī′lənd ]

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

island

noun

verb (used with object)

QUIZZES

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUNCTUATION QUIZ

Origin of island

OTHER WORDS FROM island

Words nearby island

Words related to islands

Example sentences from the Web for islands

British Dictionary definitions for islands (1 of 2)

pl n

British Dictionary definitions for islands (2 of 2)

noun

verb (tr) rare

Derived forms of island

Word Origin for island

Medical definitions for islands

n.

Scientific definitions for islands