Mindanao

American

[min-duh-nah-oh, -nou, meen-dah-nou] / ˌmɪn dəˈnɑ oʊ, -ˈnaʊ, ˌmin dɑˈnaʊ /

noun

the second largest island of the Philippines, in the S part of the group. 36,537 sq. mi. (94,631 sq. km).

Mindanao British

/ ˌmɪndəˈnaʊ /

noun

the second largest island of the Philippines, in the S part of the archipelago: mountainous and volcanic. Chief towns: Davao, Zamboanga. Pop: 13 626 338 (2000). Area: (including offshore islands) 94 631 sq km (36 537 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.

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was carrying 344 passengers and crew when it went down off southwestern Mindanao in the early hours of Monday.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

The southern region of Mindanao has long been vulnerable to conflict and extremist activity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

In a statement, the PAF said a rescue helicopter went down near Agusan del Sur on Mindanao island.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025

The Philippine seismology office has recorded more than 800 aftershocks since the first quake struck Mindanao, which is riddled by major faults.

From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025

The place was a way station on their trip from the forests of Mindanao to Washington.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

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