San Juan Islands

[ san wahn ahy-luhndz, hwahn ]

plural noun

1. a group of islands in Washington State that lie between the northwest coast of Washington and the southernmost part of Canada’s Vancouver Island.

San Juan Islands

/ sæn ˈwɑːn; ˈhwɑːn /

plural noun

1. a group of islands between NW Washington, US, and SE Vancouver Island, Canada: administratively part of Washington

Word History and Origins

Origin of San Juan Islands¹

First recorded in 1865–70; originally named Isla y Archiepelago de San Juan (“Island and Archipelago of St. John”) in 1791 by Francisco de Eliza y Reventa (1759–1825), Spanish naval officer, navigator, and explorer

Example Sentences

“The San Juan Islands are beautiful. Period,” he writes.

From Los Angeles Times

Ecology also recently submitted a report to the Legislature that significantly underestimates the value of establishing an Emergency Response Towing Vessel near the San Juan Islands.

From Seattle Times

Recreational opportunities abound in this remote, water-bound county, which encompasses the picturesque San Juan Islands.

From Seattle Times

The only time I can afford to see the San Juan Islands is during the offseason when rates are low.

From Seattle Times

The nationality of dozens of San Juan Islands, however, had been left unresolved.

From Seattle Times