Main Entry:: ¹is·land
Pronunciation:: \ˈī-lənd\
Function:: noun
Usage:: often attributive
Etymology:: alteration (influenced by Anglo-French isle) of earlier iland, from Middle English, from Old English īgland (akin to Old Norse eyland), from īg island (akin to Old English ēa river, Latin aqua water) + land land
Date:: before 12th century

1: a tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent2: something resembling an island esp. in its isolated or surrounded position: as a: a usually raised area within a thoroughfare, parking lot, or driveway used especially to separate or direct traffic b: a superstructure on the deck of a ship (as an aircraft carrier) c: a kitchen counter that is approachable from all sides 3: an isolated group or area ; especially : an isolated ethnological group

Learn more about "island" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "island" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols