Polynesia

[ pol-uh-nee-zhuh, -shuh ]

/ ˌpɒl əˈni ʒə, -ʃə /

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noun

one of the three principal divisions of Oceania, comprising those island groups in the Pacific Ocean lying east of Melanesia and Micronesia and extending from the Hawaiian Islands south to New Zealand.

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Words nearby Polynesia

polymorphism, polymorphonuclear, polymorphous, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyxin, Polynesia, Polynesian, polyneuritis, Polynices, polynomial, polynomial ring

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Polynesia in a sentence

The new analysis generally aligns with archaeological estimates of human migrations across eastern Polynesia from roughly 900 to 1250.
DNA offers a new look at how Polynesia was settled|Bruce Bower|September 22, 2021|Science News
Comparisons of present-day Polynesians’ DNA indicate that sea journeys launched from Samoa in western Polynesia headed south and then east, reaching Rarotonga in the Cook Islands by around the year 830.
DNA offers a new look at how Polynesia was settled|Bruce Bower|September 22, 2021|Science News
I hear the mention of countries such as China, Japan, “somewhere in Africa or South America,” or Polynesia.
Tattoos Have A Long History Going Back To The Ancient World – And Also To Colonialism|LGBTQ-Editor|September 13, 2021|No Straight News
Polynesia is covered in them, Madagascar has plenty, and the Caribbean is home to many as well.
A guide to all the places with no snakes|empire|August 13, 2021|Popular-Science

Only a larger genetic study can resolve whether South Americans voyaged to Polynesia or vice versa, Moreno-Estrada says.
South Americans may have traveled to Polynesia 800 years ago|Bruce Bower|July 8, 2020|Science News
The moment Captain Strathmore learned these facts, he caused an abrupt change to be made in the course of the Polynesia.
Adrift on the Pacific|Edward S. Ellis
The stranger instantly reversed her screw, while the Polynesia was equally prompt in her backward movement.
Adrift on the Pacific|Edward S. Ellis
The Polynesia had been running at half speed ever since the sun went down, and her whistle blew at irregular intervals.
Adrift on the Pacific|Edward S. Ellis
His supposition was that she would be speedily missed from the Polynesia, which would at once make search for the schooner.
Adrift on the Pacific|Edward S. Ellis
But no sign of the Polynesia 55 was discovered through the powerful binocular glasses with which Captain Bergen swept the horizon.
Adrift on the Pacific|Edward S. Ellis

British Dictionary definitions for Polynesia

Polynesia

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈniːʒə, -ʒɪə) /

noun

one of the three divisions of islands in the Pacific, the others being Melanesia and Micronesia: includes Samoa, Society, Marquesas, Mangareva, Tuamotu, Cook, and Tubuai Islands, and Tonga

Word Origin for Polynesia

C18: via French from poly- + Greek nēsos island

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

Cultural definitions for Polynesia

Polynesia

Group of islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean, including the islands of the state of Hawaii and the islands of French Polynesia. Tahiti and Samoa are in Polynesia, which means “many islands.”