island
Americannoun
-
islands
plural
-
a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.
-
something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.
-
a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, especially a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.
-
a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.
-
a clump of woodland in a prairie.
-
an isolated hill.
-
Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.
-
Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.
verb (used with object)
-
to make into an island.
-
to dot with islands.
-
to place on an island; isolate.
noun
-
a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent
-
See traffic island
-
anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundings
verb
-
to cause to become an island
-
to intersperse with islands
-
to place on an island; insulate; isolate
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of island
First recorded before 900; Middle English iland, Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, from īeg “island” (cognate with Old Norse ey ) + land land; spelling with -s- by association with isle
Explanation
An island is a piece of land that is surrounded on all sides by water. Some islands are so small that a beach chair and umbrella barely fit on them and some are big enough to contain a whole nation. To get to an island you must take a boat, bridge or airplane — be a strong swimmer. If you can get there by land it’s not an island, though it may be a peninsula, like Florida. There are many famous islands, like Manhattan and the islands of Hawaii. Things that are free-standing can also be called islands, like the island made of cabinets and a counter that is found in some kitchens — it's not connected to anything else.
Vocabulary lists containing island
Physical Geography - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Physical Geography - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Physical Geography - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Iceland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine during Russia's full-scale invasion and officials have viewed Russia's increased maritime manoeuvres near the island with alarm.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Committee investigators produced 2005 passenger flight logs showing Staley and his family flew to Epstein’s island in the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
“Now we have a drought, and you have to have water rationing. It’s something that is reflective of a bigger problem in the island: the neglect of the most important needs of the citizens.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
The number of Chinese ships detected around Taiwan's main island soared to a record 244 in July -- an average of nearly eight every day, official data shared with AFP show.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
And then they turned back toward the island.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
The two islands do have some things in common: a history of Danish rule and hosting American forces.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Pathway Home, Los Angeles County’s encampment removal program, has conducted 10 operations in the two cities and their immediate unincorporated islands, bringing a total of 303 people off the streets.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
The number of Chinese ships detected around Taiwan and several of its outer islands since May is 1,247, coast guard figures show.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
"While large, tabular icebergs are relatively common in the Southern Ocean that surrounds the Antarctic Ice Sheet, Arctic ice islands are far rarer," explains Dr. Anna Crawford of the University of Stirling.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
Enchanted islands; unicorns, and krakens, and gold-horned hares.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
