atoll

[ at-awl, -ol, -ohl, uh-tawl, uh-tol, uh-tohl ]

noun

1. a ring-shaped coral reef or a string of closely spaced small coral islands, enclosing or nearly enclosing a shallow lagoon.

atoll

/ əˈtɒl; ˈætɒl /

noun

1. a circular coral reef or string of coral islands surrounding a lagoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of atoll¹

First recorded in 1615–25; earlier atollon, from French: a word used in early descriptions of the Maldive Island atolls; said to be Divehi ( Indo-Aryan language of the Maldives) atoḷu

Word History and Origins

Origin of atoll¹

C17: from atollon, native name in the Maldive Islands

Example Sentences

This includes the tropical atoll of Diego Garcia, used by the US government as a military base for its navy ships and long-range bomber aircraft.

From BBC

Approaching by plane, coconut trees and thick foliage are visible across the 44 sq km footprint-shaped atoll, the greenery punctuated by white military structures.

From BBC

March 21, 2024Officials with the Brando resort say they provided an incorrect figure — 400 meters — for the length of the pipe through the atoll’s reef.

From Los Angeles Times

A group of 10 activists managed to evade the Chinese blockade by at least 46 ships in the outlying waters on Wednesday and distributed food and fuel to Filipinos fishing closer to the atoll.

From Seattle Times

Here’s how it works: A 400-meter pipe through the atoll’s reef follows the ocean floor, and the natural ocean pressure itself brings up the cold seawater, occasionally using supplemental pumps.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• isle
• reef