Midway Islands

British

plural noun

an atoll in the central Pacific, about 2100 km (1300 miles) northwest of Honolulu: annexed by the US in 1867: scene of a decisive battle (June, 1942), in which the US combined fleets destroyed Japan's carrier fleet. Pop: 40 (2013 est). Area: 5 sq km (2 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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Navy met and defeated an overwhelming force of Japanese ships and planes around the Midway Islands on June 4, 1942.

From Washington Times • Feb. 18, 2020

He also pushed through the annexation of the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean, which subsequently opened a more stable route to Asian markets.

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

The Midway Islands provided a more stable path to Asian markets and a vital naval coaling station, which steamships needed in order to travel further afield.

From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014

Superman got a high priority rating last week: the Navy Department ruled that Superman comic books should be included among essential supplies destined for the Marine garrison at Midway Islands.

From Time Magazine Archive

The captain has ordered the cutter to be also fitted for a voyage to the Midway Islands.

From The Last Cruise of the Saginaw by Read, George H.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023