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

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

From Barron's

The similarly tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu signed an exclusive deal in 1998 to license its .tv domain name.

From BBC

More than a third of Tuvalu citizens have entered the ballot for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia.

From BBC

One thing he'd still like to tick off his bucket list is visiting the remote island of Tuvalu in the South Pacific Ocean, which sounds like a pitch for a new TV show in itself.

From BBC

The ceremony took place at the headquarters of the National Bank of Tuvalu in the village of Vaiaku on Funafuti.

From BBC