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

See Examples For:

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is among a handful of Pacific countries that has diplomatic ties with Taiwan and not Beijing.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

A Chinese submarine test-fired a "strategic" missile carrying a dummy warhead on Monday, with monitors saying the rocket appeared to land in a patch of ocean somewhere between Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

Australia has greatly upped its diplomatic efforts in response, securing new deals with the likes of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tuvalu.

From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026

Small Pacific island states such as Tuvalu are threatened by rising sea levels, while some 10 million people are estimated to have been displaced because of storms in the Philippines, the IOM chief said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

The capital city of Tuvalu, a long-forgotten Olympic weight lifter, a fifteen-letter word for dervish: "Oh, that," he said.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris