Micronesia

[ mahy-kruh-nee-zhuh, ‑shuh ]

noun

1. one of the three principal divisions of Oceania, comprising the small Pacific islands north of the equator and east of the Philippines, whose main groups are the Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands, and the Marshall Islands.
2. Federated States of Micronesia, a group of islands in the western Pacific, in the Caroline Islands, comprising the islands of Pohnpei, Truk, Yap, and Kosrae: formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and now a self-governing area associated with the United States. 271 square miles (701 square kilometers).

Micronesia

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈniːzɪə /

noun

1. one of the three divisions of islands in the Pacific (the others being Melanesia and Polynesia); the NW division of Oceania: includes the Mariana, Caroline, Marshall, and Kiribati island groups, and Nauru Island
2. Federated States of Micronesia
   an island group in the W Pacific, formerly within the United States Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands: comprises the islands of Truk, Yap, Ponape, and Kosrae: formed in 1979 when the islands became self-governing: status of free association with the US from 1982. Languages: English and Micronesian languages. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Palikir. Pop: 106 104 (2013 est)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Micronesia¹

C19: from micro- + Greek nēsos island; so called from the small size of many of the islands; on the model of Polynesia

Example Sentences

In all, China operates at least 249 flagged-in vessels, including ones that fish off the coasts of Micronesia, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Iran.

From Los Angeles Times

Three men were rescued by the US Coast Guard off an island in Micronesia after they sent out a plea for "HELP" using palm tree leaves.

From BBC

Andersen is used as a ‘base camp’ to airlift the donated goods to islanders throughout Micronesia,” the report said.

From Washington Times

"We received the nomination as part of bringing back Micronesia," he said, referring to an agreement among the sub-regions of Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia for a process to rotate key roles within the bloc.

From Reuters

New Zealand and the US have similar pacts with a handful of other Pacific nations such as Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Cook Islands.

From BBC