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Mariana Islands

American  
[mair-ee-ahn-uh ahy-luhndz, mar-, mah-ree-ah-nah] / ˈmɛər iˌɑn ə ˈaɪ ləndz, ˈmær-, ˌmɑ riˈɑ nɑ /

noun

(used with a plural verb)
  1. a group of 15 small islands in the Pacific, E of the Philippines: divided into Guam, a possession of the U.S., and the North Marianas, formally under U.S. trusteeship. 453 sq. mi. (1,127 sq. km).


Mariana Islands British  
/ ˌmærɪˈɑːnə /

plural noun

  1. Former name (1521–1668): Ladrone Islands.  a chain of volcanic and coral islands in the W Pacific, east of the Philippines and north of New Guinea: divided politically into Guam (a US unincorporated territory) and the islands north of Guam constituting the Northern Mariana Islands (a US commonwealth territory). Area: 1018 sq km (393 sq miles)

"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

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

They were joined by Kimberlyn King-Hinds of the Northern Mariana Islands and James Moylan of Guam, nonvoting delegates who can debate and cast votes on amendments but not on actual legislation.

From Salon Jul. 22, 2026

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu issued a tsunami advisory for the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 8, 2026

In mid-April 2026, Super Typhoon Sinlaku swept across the North Pacific, delivering heavy rainfall and flooding to the Mariana Islands.

From Science Daily Jun. 3, 2026

Democrats, meanwhile, held primaries in the states of Georgia, Washington and Mississippi, as well as in the Northern Mariana Islands and for Democrats living abroad.

From BBC Mar. 12, 2024

He showed her the deepest spot on earth, seven miles deep, above the Mariana Islands.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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