Definition of island
1 : a tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent
2 : something resembling an island especially in its isolated or surrounded position: such asa : a usually raised area within a thoroughfare, parking lot, or driveway used especially to separate or direct trafficb : a superstructure on the deck of a ship (such 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
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Examples of island in a Sentence
He lives on an island in the Caribbean.
the island of Hawaii is the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago
Did You Know?
The words island and isle are etymologically distinct. Island can be traced back to Old English īgland, composed of two elements īg and land. Land, as we might expect means “land,” but īg means “island” in Old English. In a sense, then, īgland is “island-land.” The English isle, on the other hand, is derived through medieval French from the Latin insula. In the 16th century, under the influence of isle, the letter s was added to iland, the earlier form of island. The verb island did not appear until the 17th century.
Origin and Etymology of island
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
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
1661
First Known Use of island
1661
ISLAND Defined for Kids
island
playDefinition of island for Students
1 : an area of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent
2 : something like an island in its isolation We have a counter island in our kitchen.
Medical Dictionary
island
playMedical Definition of island
: an isolated anatomical structure, tissue, or group of cells
Learn More about island
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See words that rhyme with island Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for island Spanish Central: Translation of island Nglish: Translation of island for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of island for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about island
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