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 18-year-old college student vanished after going on a Fourth of July boat trip with friends to one of the Gulf Coast's barrier islands, officials said. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 July 2026

The college football player had disappeared on July 4 after a boating trip with friends on the barrier island off the coast of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

Other members of the fishing community soon joined in, deploying their own boats to move people and supplies to and from the barrier islands — even as police tried, unsuccessfully, to keep boaters off the water given the debris and damage. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

The barrier islands were the only North Carolina locale to make the coveted list published Tuesday, July 7. — Kimberly Tutuska, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for barrier island

• dryland

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