Marshall Islands

American  

plural noun

1. a group of 34 atolls in the western central Pacific Ocean: formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; since 1986 a self-governing area associated with the United States. 70 square miles (181 square kilometers).

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Marshall Islands British  

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

plural noun

1. a republic, consisting of a group of 34 coral islands in the W central Pacific: formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1947–87); status of free association with the US from 1986; consists of two parallel chains, Ralik and Ratak. Official languages: Marshallese and English. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Delap-Uliga-Djarrit, on Majuro atoll. Pop: 69 747 (2013 est). Area: (land) 181 sq km (70 sq miles); (lagoon) 11 655 sq km (4500 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• Marshallese
  noun

Example Sentences

The Iron Maiden, registered in the Marshall Islands, and the Liberia-flagged Sino Ocean, brandished China links while sailing through the strait, then removed them once they were out.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands are the most common FOC states, representing 46.5% of all merchant ships by weight, but Gambia has become a player in recent years.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

The compacts of free association with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau were negotiated to resolve a specific historical reality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

What’s more, we’re one of the only countries in the entire world that does not mandate any paid parental leave, alongside Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Tonga, and just a few others.

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2026

But on March I, 1954, a thermonuclear weapons test at Bikini in the Marshall Islands detonated at higher yield than expected.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan