Okinawa

American  

[oh-kuh-nou-wuh, -nah-wuh, aw-kee-nah-wah] / ˌoʊ kəˈnaʊ wə, -ˈnɑ wə, ˈɔ kiˈnɑ wɑ /

noun

1. the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, in the N Pacific, SW of Japan: taken by U.S. forces April–June 1945 in the last major amphibious campaign of World War II. 544 sq. mi. (1,409 sq. km).

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Okinawa British  

/ ˌəʊkɪˈnɑːwə /

noun

1. a coral island of SW Japan, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands in the N Pacific: scene of heavy fighting in World War II; administered by the US (1945–72); agricultural. Chief town: Naha. Pop: 1 318 218 (2000). Area: 1176 sq km (454 sq miles)

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Okinawa Cultural  

1. Island in the western Pacific Ocean; part of Japan.

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During World War II, American forces seized the island from Japan in a particularly bloody campaign. It was returned to Japan in 1972.

Other Word Forms

• Okinawan
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Okinawa

The coastal village of Onna -- home to the Okinawa science institute -- has been spearheading efforts since 1999 to breed corals and transplant them into the sea.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

But just as he found hope in reuniting with them, he also learned that they had mysteriously disappeared mid-flight en route to Okinawa.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

In both satellite views, the center of the storm remained south of Okinawa.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

“That’s fantastic,” said Roberts, who was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

The Allied plan of bombing the great cities of the Japanese mainland had continued all through our invasion of Okinawa.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac