barrier island

noun

: a long broad sandy island lying parallel to a shore that is built up by the action of waves, currents, and winds and that protects the shore from the effects of the ocean

Examples of barrier island in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Outer Banks, North Carolina The Outer Banks spans hundreds of miles of barrier islands that are split between North Carolina and Virginia. Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 4 July 2025 States should get serious about forbidding, rather than replacing, structures in seriously flood-prone locales like some barrier islands in Florida or the banks of North Carolina’s French Broad River. Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025 The barrier island is about four miles long and, for the most part, one house wide. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025 Praia da Ilha de Tavira On the eastern side of the Algarve, near the town of Tavira, lies Ilha de Tavira, a barrier island accessible by ferry or water taxi. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for barrier island

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrier island was in 1773

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Cite this Entry

“Barrier island.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier%20island. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

barrier island

noun
: a long broad sandy island parallel to a shore that is built up by the action of waves, currents, and winds

More from Merriam-Webster on barrier island

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