islet

noun

is·​let ˈī-lət How to pronounce islet (audio)
1
: a little island
2

Examples of islet in a Sentence

landed the boat on a tiny islet that we had all to ourselves
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The uninhabited islets became a focal point of tensions between China and Japan after Tokyo nationalized the chain in 2012. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Its surrounding waters and adjacent rocks and islets act as a refuge for marine life. Miquel Ros, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025 The resort’s remoteness meant that mainland safaris to baobab forests and lemur sanctuaries required a (pricy) helicopter hop, but there was enough to keep us busy on Nosy Ankao and its neighboring islets. Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025 Cinnamon, for instance, may help improve the function of islets—parts of the pancreas that produce insulin and other hormones that regulate blood sugar. Johna Burdeos, Health, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for islet

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of islet was in 1538

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Islet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/islet. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

islet

noun
is·​let ˈī-lət How to pronounce islet (audio)
1
: a little island
2

Medical Definition

islet

noun
is·​let ˈī-lət How to pronounce islet (audio)
: a small isolated mass of one type of tissue within a different type
specifically : islet of langerhans

More from Merriam-Webster on islet

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