Palau

British

/ pɑːˈlaʊ /

noun

Former name: Pelew Islands. a republic comprising a group of islands in the W Pacific, in the W Caroline Islands; administratively part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 1947–87; entered into an agreement of free association with the US (1980); became fully independent in 1994. Chief island: Babelthuap. Capital: Melekeok, on Babelthuap (functions moved from Koror in 2006). Pop: 21 108 (2013 est). Area: 476 sq km (184 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.

On the military front, the U.S. is building a radar system in Palau, operates a missile range in the Marshall Islands and is upgrading infrastructure in Micronesia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

In return, Palau got $7.5 million for public services.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

North Korean smuggling networks have long exploited shipping registries in South Pacific nations such as Palau, Niue and Tuvalu.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

After he took office in 2021, Palau's president publicly claimed that China offered "a million" tourists in exchange for Palau to this end.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

Geography Palau Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Geographic coordinates:

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

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