Pacific Islands

American  

[puh-sif-ik ahy-luhndz] / pəˈsɪf ɪk ˈaɪ ləndz /

plural noun

1. the islands and island groups of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, located in the western and central Pacific Ocean.

2. Usually Pacific islands. (loosely) these islands together with the other islands in the Pacific Ocean, such as the continent of Australia and the Asia-related Indonesian, Philippine, and Japanese islands: Breadfruit is a tree native to the Pacific islands.

   There are spineless forms of prickly pear grown commonly in Australia and some of the other Pacific islands.

   Breadfruit is a tree native to the Pacific islands.

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Pacific Islands British  

plural noun

1. a former Trust Territory; an island group in the W Pacific Ocean, mandated to Japan after World War I and assigned to the US by the United Nations in 1947: comprised 2141 islands (96 inhabited) of the Caroline, Marshall, and Mariana groups (excluding Guam). In 1978 the Northern Marianas became a commonwealth in union with the US. The three remaining entities consisting of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau (or Belau), and the Federated States of Micronesia became self-governing during the period 1979–80. In 1982 they signed agreements of free association with the US. Land area: about 1800 sq km (700 sq miles), scattered over about 7 500 000 sq km (3 000 000 sq miles) of ocean

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Pacific Islands Cultural  

1. Consisting of the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Marianas Islands, covering a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, including more than two thousand islands and islets. Held by the United States under United Nations trusteeship.

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Etymology

Origin of Pacific Islands

First recorded in 1795–1800

Example Sentences

We spent a year traveling around Australia, New Zealand, scores of Pacific islands and most of southeast Asia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Appeared in the January 20, 2026, print edition as 'Pacific Islands Reflect Potential U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

"If there is safe passage, what are the terms and the conditions for such safe passage?" the South Pacific islands' delegate asked.

From Barron's

However, the researchers stress that modern discussions about climate change should prioritize the voices of people living on Rapa Nui and other Pacific islands today.

From Science Daily

"France's propaganda was very powerful," she told AFP, adding that in school she had only learned about the tests' positive economic impact for France's South Pacific islands and atolls.

From Barron's