Main Entry:

Lee·ward Islands

Pronunciation:

\ˈlē-wərd, ˈlü-ərd\

Function:

geographical name

1island chain central Pacific extending 1250 miles (2012 kilometers) WNW from main islands of the Hawaiian group; includes Nihoa, Necker, Laysan, Midway, & Kure islands2or French Îles sous le Vent \ˌēl-sü-lə-ˈväⁿ\ islands S. Pacific, W group of the Society Islands population 22,2323islands West Indies in the N Lesser Antilles extending from Virgin Islands (on N) to Dominica (on S)4former colony British West Indies in the Leewards including Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, & Montserrat