island

[ ahy-luhnd ]

noun

1. a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.
2. something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.
3. a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, especially a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.
4. safety island.
5. a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.
6. a clump of woodland in a prairie.
7. an isolated hill.
8. Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.
9. Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.

verb (used with object)

1. to make into an island.
2. to dot with islands.
3. to place on an island; isolate.

island

/ ˈaɪlənd /

noun

1. a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent
2. See traffic island
3. anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundings insular

verb

1. to cause to become an island
2. to intersperse with islands
3. to place on an island; insulate; isolate

island

/ ī′lənd /

1. A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.

Derived Forms

• ˈisland-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• island·ish island·like adjective
• island·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of island¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English iland, Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, from īeg “island” (cognate with Old Norse ey ) + land land; spelling with -s- by association with isle

Word History and Origins

Origin of island¹

Old English īgland, from īg island + land ; s inserted through influence of isle

Example Sentences

This work focused on the island territory of Turks and Caicos.

From Science News For Students

When they tested it on a small island off the coast of Spain, the vaccine seemed to spread to more than half of the local rabbit population.

From Quanta Magazine

While walking across the island on a recent vacation, I was often interested in locating the point on the shore that was nearest to my current position.

From FiveThirtyEight

Critical exponents describe the details of this process, such as how the biggest islands grow.

From Quanta Magazine

Moreover, Mathur said, the testing, surveillance and tracing strategy is “so robust” in the island nation that every positive test result leads to all of the patient’s contacts being tested as well.

From Quanta Magazine

But Krauss said that from the moment he and the other scientists arrived on the island, they never saw anything untoward.

From The Daily Beast

Let Jourdan Dunn be the first of many—not an island, or badge of self-congratulation.

From The Daily Beast

Guy Molinari, a former Staten Island borough president, pushed back against that view.

From The Daily Beast

They were able to purchase weapons and plot attacks on the island without much interference.

From The Daily Beast

They were called La Red Avispa (The Wasp Network) and claim to have successfully foiled a number of threats against the island.

From The Daily Beast

A lateen sail was visible in the direction of Cat Island, and others to the south seemed almost motionless in the far distance.

From Project Gutenberg

A volcano broke out in the island of St. George, one of the Azores.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dutch fleet attacked Burnt island, in Scotland, but were repulsed.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1622 a monopoly of the importation of tobacco was granted to the Virginia and Somers Island, companies.

From Project Gutenberg

At last the report of several rifles from the island of trees gave us a clue to the mystery.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• archipelago
• enclave
• isle
• islet
• peninsula
• reef