Tuvalu

American  

[too-vuh-loo, too-vah-loo] / ˈtu vəˌlu, tuˈvɑ lu /

noun

1. a parliamentary state consisting of a group of islands in the central Pacific, south of the equator: a former British colony; gained independence 1978. 10 sq. mi. (26 sq. km). Funafuti.

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Tuvalu British  

/ ˌtuːvəˈluː /

noun

1. Former names: Lagoon Islands.   Ellice Islands.  a country in the SW Pacific, comprising a group of nine coral islands: established as a British protectorate in 1892. From 1915 until 1975 the islands formed part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands; achieved full independence in 1978; a member of the Commonwealth (formerly a special member not represented at all meetings, until 2000). Languages: English and Tuvaluan. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: Australian dollar; Tuvalu dollars are also used. Capital: Funafuti. Pop: 10 698 (2013 est). Area: 26 sq km (10 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• Tuvaluan adjective

Example Sentences

With 10 square miles of total area, less than five miles of roads and only one hospital on the main island, Tuvalu is the fourth-smallest country in the world.

From New York Times

Among 15 other countries that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the only other Pacific islands are the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu.

From Washington Times

Australia now has 19 embassies in the Pacific, including new ones opened in the last three years in Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Palau and Niue.

From Reuters

In Tuvalu, the government held workshops teaching youth indigenous food production methods such as taro planting and sap collection from coconut trees.

From Seattle Times

The small and remote island nations and territories of Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Norfolk island and Pitcairn island are believed to be still free of the virus.

From The Guardian