West Indies

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noun

Also called the Indies .(used with a plural verb) an archipelago in the N Atlantic between North and South America, comprising the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas.

Federation of the West Indies. (used with a singular verb) a former federation (1958–62) of the British islands in the Caribbean, comprising Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Windward and Leeward island colonies.Also called West Indies Federation .

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OTHER WORDS FROM West Indies

West Indian, adjective, noun

Words nearby West Indies

West Highland white terrier, West Hollywood, Westie, West Indian, West Indian cedar, West Indies, West Indies Associated States, westing, Westinghouse, Westinghouse brake, West Irian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use West Indies in a sentence

In his statement, the 28-year-old de Kock said he did not “mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies” but was instead reacting to what he felt was an unnecessary directive imposed on him with disconcertingly short notice.
South African cricketer apologizes for refusing to take a knee before match|Des Bieler|October 28, 2021|Washington Post
A few historians insist that the smoking technique dates to Indigenous tribes in the West Indies cooking meat over an indirect flame.
Vegan barbecue is carving out a place in traditional meat-smoking regions|Jess Eng|September 2, 2021|Washington Post
There is, however, a separate wing of AQAP designed to inspire their followers to conduct attacks against the West.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre|Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The need for an Ebola vaccine in West Africa has never been greater.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

With Ebola still raging in West Africa, the race to find a vaccine is heating up.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I meet Otis J. the night he arrives at “The Castle,” a West Harlem halfway house for newly-released convicts.
His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside|Justin Rohrlich|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Kanye West wants people to stand up and dance at his concerts.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 |Kevin Fallon|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The volcanic eruptions of the mountains on the west broke down its barriers, and let its waters flow.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
When the women came, he was preparing to go to the west side for his daily visit with Mrs. Pruitt.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
The cantonment was split into two sections by an irregular ravine, or nullah, running east and west.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
But you are mistaken in thinking the force west consists of the entire Merrill Horse.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Of course, my first row was a long one, quite through the city from west to east, including innumerable turnings and windings.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for West Indies

West Indies

/ (ˈɪndɪz) /

noun (functioning as singular or plural)

an archipelago off Central America, extending over 2400 km (1500 miles) in an arc from the peninsula of Florida to Venezuela, separating the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean: consists of the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas; largest island is Cuba. Area: over 235 000 sq km (91 000 sq miles)Also called: the Caribbean

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 West Indies

West Indies

Archipelago between North America and South America curving from southern Florida to Venezuela.

notes for West Indies

It is a popular resort area.

notes for West Indies

Several of the islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492.