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
The site is on a low-lying barrier island in a mandatory hurricane evacuation zone and faces ongoing risks from flooding, sea-level rise, king tides and storm surge.
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
An hour-long train ride from Penn Station, the barrier island is teeming with classic eateries and quirky shops.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
The Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands just off the North Carolina coast, placed 14th on the publication’s Top 18 list of getaways offering fun and relaxation for the whole family.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
During this turbulent summer in their lives, their grandmother invites them to her home in the Outer Banks, North Carolina’s barrier islands where wild horses roam free.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for barrier island
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
An hour-long train ride from Penn Station, the barrier island is teeming with classic eateries and quirky shops.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
The Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands just off the North Carolina coast, placed 14th on the publication’s Top 18 list of getaways offering fun and relaxation for the whole family.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
During this turbulent summer in their lives, their grandmother invites them to her home in the Outer Banks, North Carolina’s barrier islands where wild horses roam free.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for barrier island
Cite this Entry
“Barrier island.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier%20island. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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