Mariana Islands

[ mair-ee-ahn-uh-ahy-luhndz, mar-; Spanish mah-ree-ah-nah ]

/ ˈmɛər iˌɑn ə ˈaɪ ləndz, ˈmær-; Spanish ˌmɑ riˈɑ nɑ /

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noun (used with a plural verb)

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).

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Also called Mar·i·an·as . Formerly La·drone Is·lands

[luh-drohn-ahy-luhndz], /ləˈdroʊn ˈaɪ ləndz/, La·drones

[luh-drohnz; Spanish lah-thraw-nes] /ləˈdroʊnz; Spanish lɑˈðrɔ nɛs/ .

Compare North Mariana Islands.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Mariana Islands in a sentence

As a territory of the United States, the Marianas could freely sell into the U.S. market.
David’s Book Club: ‘Capitol Punishment’|David Frum|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But as a self-governing commonwealth, the Marianas were exempt from U.S. labor standards and even immigration laws.
David’s Book Club: ‘Capitol Punishment’|David Frum|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Marianas needed Abramoff only because the U.S. placed restrictions on Chinese textile exports into the U.S. markets.
David’s Book Club: ‘Capitol Punishment’|David Frum|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Besides Guam and the Northern Marianas, they are Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
Guam and Saipan Make Tempting Targets for Delegate-Hungry GOP Candidates|Ben Jacobs|March 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Marianas: Mariana, a beautiful woman, one of the most lovable of Shakespeare's characters.
Tom Brown at Rugby|Thomas Hughes
Olive was the Governor of the Marianas Islands concerning the which he wrote and published a very interesting memoir.
The Katipunan|J. Brecknock Watson (AKA Francis St. Clair)
Three species are known only from the Palaus; two are known only from the Marianas.
The Avifauna of Micronesia, Volume 3|Rollin H. Baker
The bird life of the northern Marianas is also incompletely known.
The Avifauna of Micronesia, Volume 3|Rollin H. Baker
The latest collections of these birds in the Marianas were made by the Japanese.
The Avifauna of Micronesia, Volume 3|Rollin H. Baker

British Dictionary definitions for Mariana Islands

Mariana Islands

/ (ˌmærɪˈɑːnə) /

pl n

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)Former name (1521–1668): Ladrone Islands

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