islet

noun

is·​let ˈī-lət 

1

: a little island

2

: islet of langerhans

Synonyms of islet

• island

Examples of islet in a Sentence

landed the boat on a tiny islet that we had all to ourselves

Recent Examples on the Web

From nearly every vantage point, the estate offers unobstructed views of the Mokulua Islands, the twin islets that sit just offshore and rank among O‘ahu’s most recognizable natural landmarks. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026

When transplanted into diabetic mice, the islet organoids rapidly vascularized and restored normal blood glucose levels for the duration of the experiment. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026

The resort occupies its own private motu (islet) just 20 minutes by speedboat from Bora Bora’s airport. —Terry Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025

Last month, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed plans to deploy anti-air missiles on Yonaguni, a Ryukyu islet just 60 miles from Taiwan’s east coast. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing islet

• islet of Langerhans

Rhymes for islet

• eyelet
• pilot
• stylet
• autopilot

Kids Definition

islet

noun

is·​let ˈī-lət 

1

: a little island

2

: islet of Langerhans

Medical Definition

islet

noun

is·​let ˈī-lət 

: a small isolated mass of one type of tissue within a different type

specifically : islet of langerhans