Okinawa

American  

[oh-kuh-nou-wuh, -nah-wuh, aw-kee-nah-wah] / ˌoʊ kəˈnaʊ wə, -ˈnɑ wə, ˈɔ kiˈnɑ wɑ /

noun

1. the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, in the N Pacific, SW of Japan: taken by U.S. forces April–June 1945 in the last major amphibious campaign of World War II. 544 sq. mi. (1,409 sq. km).

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Okinawa British  

/ ˌəʊkɪˈnɑːwə /

noun

1. a coral island of SW Japan, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands in the N Pacific: scene of heavy fighting in World War II; administered by the US (1945–72); agricultural. Chief town: Naha. Pop: 1 318 218 (2000). Area: 1176 sq km (454 sq miles)

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Okinawa Cultural  

1. Island in the western Pacific Ocean; part of Japan.

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During World War II, American forces seized the island from Japan in a particularly bloody campaign. It was returned to Japan in 1972.

Other Word Forms

• Okinawan adjective

Example Sentences

While the U.S. and Japanese militaries have long operated on the island of Okinawa, Tokyo placed few defenses on other southwestern islands until about a decade ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan plays a critical role: It hosts major American bases and has been steadily fortifying its southwestern flank, a chain of islands stretching from Okinawa to Yonaguni, some 70 miles from Taiwan.

From The Wall Street Journal

This article was adapted from text provided by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

From Science Daily

Mao Ishikawa’s mid-’70s photos of Okinawa reveal the lasting influence of World War II, as American soldiers mingle with locals, many of whom are the children of veterans and the Japanese residents.

From The Wall Street Journal

In December, J-15 jets from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier twice locked radar on Japanese aircraft in international waters near Okinawa, according to Japan.

From Barron's