Madeira

American  

[muh-deer-uh, -dair-uh, mah-de-ruh] / məˈdɪər ə, -ˈdɛər ə, mɑˈdɛ rə /

noun

1. a group of eight islands off the NW coast of Africa, part of Portugal. 308 sq. mi. (798 sq. km). Funchal.

2. the chief island of this group. 286 sq. mi. (741 sq. km).

3. (often lowercase) a rich, strong white or amber wine, resembling sherry, made there.

4. (often lowercase) a similar wine made elsewhere.

5. a river in W Brazil flowing NE to the Amazon: chief tributary of the Amazon. 2,100 miles (3,380 km) long.

---

Madeira British  

/ məˈdɪərə, məˈðəirə /

noun

1. a group of volcanic islands in the N Atlantic, west of Morocco: since 1976 an autonomous region of Portugal; consists of the chief island, Madeira, Porto Santo, and the uninhabited Deserta and Selvagen Islands. Capital: Funchal. Pop: 245 012 (2001). Area: 797 sq km (311 sq miles)

2. a river in W Brazil, flowing northeast to the Amazon below Manaus. Length: 3241 km (2013 miles)

3. a rich strong fortified white wine made on Madeira

---

Example Sentences

In early 2008, and again in early 2018, a disease killed about 93% of D. africanum off Tenerife and La Palma, and about 90% off the islands of neighboring Madeira.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2025

The U.S.-listed miner plans another site at Fazendinha, close to where the Madeira meets the Amazon River, Bloise said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

Ellard also won four medals - including double gold - at the European Championships in Funchal, Madeira, in April.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2024

Ellard, 18, and Newman-Baronius, 17, who both won gold at the Open European Championships in Madeira in May, will be strong favourites to win their finals.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2024

The end of May they stood out from Madeira and headed south.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham