archipelago

[ ahr-kuh-pel-uh-goh ]

noun

, plural ar·chi·pel·a·gos, ar·chi·pel·a·goes.

1. a large group or chain of islands:

   the Malay Archipelago.

2. any large body of water with many islands.
3. the Archipelago, the Aegean Sea.

archipelago

/ ˌɑːkɪpəˈleɪdʒɪən; ˌɑːkɪˈpɛlɪˌɡəʊ; ˌɑːkɪpəˈlædʒɪk /

noun

1. a group of islands
2. a sea studded with islands

archipelago

/ är′kə-pĕl′ə-gō′ /

1. A large group of islands.
2. A sea, such as the Aegean, or an area in a sea containing a large number of scattered islands.

archipelago

1. A group of islands near one another.

Derived Forms

• archipelagic, adjective

Other Words From

• ar·chi·pe·lag·ic [ahr-k, uh, -p, uh, -, laj, -ik], ar·chi·pe·la·gi·an [ahr-k, uh, -p, uh, -, ley, -jee-, uh, n, -j, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of archipelago¹

1495–1505; alteration ( archi- for arci- ) of Italian arcipelago, alteration of Egeopelago the Aegean Sea < Greek Aigaîon pélagos

Word History and Origins

Origin of archipelago¹

C16 (meaning: the Aegean Sea): from Italian arcipelago, literally: the chief sea (perhaps originally a mistranslation of Greek Aigaion pelagos the Aegean Sea), from archi- + pelago sea, from Latin pelagus, from Greek pelagos

Example Sentences

The Faroe Islands is a self-governing archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark, where there is also a strong affinity for meat served in tubed form.

From Salon

But the strategic importance of the archipelago, known officially as the British Indian Ocean Territory, has prompted criticism that the agreement will deliver a security boost to China.

From BBC

The deal followed decades of often fractious negotiations between the UK and Mauritius over sovereignty of the archipelago, but has faced a backlash from several senior Conservative MPs.

From BBC

And Mr Oualy wants to be one of the migrants to reach the archipelago - whose numbers have reached an all-time high.

From BBC

The archipelago’s difficulties in managing these large numbers have contributed to a fierce political debate about immigration, mirroring that in many other European countries.

From BBC

Related Words

• enclave
• isle
• islet
• peninsula
• reef