Main Entry: Lee·ward Islands

Pronunciation: \ˈlē-wərd, ˈlü-ərd\

Function: geographical name

1 island chain central Pacific extending 1250 miles (2012 kilometers) WNW from main islands of the Hawaiian group; includes Nihoa, Necker, Laysan, Midway, & Kure islands
2or French Îles sous le Vent \ˌēl-sü-lə-ˈväⁿ\ islands S. Pacific, W group of the Society Islands population 22,232
3 islands West Indies in the N Lesser Antilles extending from Virgin Islands (on N) to Dominica (on S)
4 former colony British West Indies in the Leewards including Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, & Montserrat