Shetland

British

/ ˈʃɛtlənd /

noun

Also called: Shetland Islands. Official name (until 1974): Zetland. a group of about 100 islands (fewer than 20 inhabited), off the N coast of Scotland, which constitute an island authority of Scotland: a Norse dependency from the 8th century until 1472; noted for the breeding of Shetland ponies, knitwear manufacturing, and fishing; oil-related industries. Administrative centre: Lerwick. Pop: 21 870 (2003 est). Area: 1426 sq km (550 sq miles)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The trial in 2022 heard the discovery exposed married MacDowell's affair with MacRae, and that she had believed they would be meeting up for a weekend away before a planned move to Shetland.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

A second company has signed an agreement to launch a rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland this year.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

It can be reached by sea or air from mainland Shetland.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has proposed a 9.5% increase, Midlothian is contemplating a rise of 9% and councillors in Shetland have suggested a 7.3% hike.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

"Mrs. Fayne told us that Shetland ponies are different from other ponies. Why?"

From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023