West Indies

noun

(used with a plural verb) Also called the Indies. an archipelago in the N Atlantic between North and South America, comprising the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas.
(used with a singular verb) Federation of. Also called West Indies Federation. a former federation (1958–62) of the British islands in the Caribbean, comprising Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Windward and Leeward island colonies.

Related formsWest Indian, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for west indies

Historical Examples of west indies

They would not leave us the West-Indies, although useless to them.
Diary in America, Series Two
Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)
Answer to a mistaken opinion, that the warmth of the climate in the West-Indies, will not permit white people to labour there.
Some Historical Account of Guinea, Its Situation, Produce, and the General Disposition of Its Inhabitants
Anthony Benezet
She was in the West-Indies, and the yellow fever had broken out on board.
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
Henry M. (Henry Martyn) Field
I have been very badly used in the West-Indies, but I go any where with you, to the end of the world.'
The Adopted Daughter
Elizabeth Sandham
This gentleman resided for many years in the West-Indies, in the clerical office.
An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African
Thomas Clarkson

British Dictionary definitions for west indies

West Indies

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

west indies in Culture

West Indies

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

Note

It is a popular resort area.

Note

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