tombolo
noun
tom·bo·lo
ˈtōm-bə-ˌlō 
ˈtäm-
ˈtäm-
plural tombolos
: a sand or gravel bar connecting an island with the mainland or another island
Examples of tombolo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the western side of the tombolo, the natural sandbar creates a lagoon-like pool, which is shallow enough for young kids.
—
Rachel Ng, AFAR Media, 7 May 2025
On another visit to the island, Cushman and I had anchored in Presque Isle Bay, and trekked on a tombolo, a bridge of sand connecting Presque Isle Point to the rest of Stockton Island, dotted with flowers.
—Brian Clark, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022
Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii Located on the sunny southern shore of Kauai, Poipu Beach is actually made up of two spectacular beaches separated by a narrow sand spit called a tombolo.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2020
After its shadowy start in a deep pine forest, the canopy opens overhead as the trail winds past a large swamp and across swaths of huge rocks to the tombolo — a spit of land that connects to Governor’s Island.
—Peter Marteka, courant.com, 9 Oct. 2019
The trail crosses swaths of huge rocks to a tombolo — a spit of land that connects to Governor’s Island.
—Peter Marteka, courant.com, 27 Sep. 2019
Recent storms have made the tombolo weaker, so currents are increasing within the lagoon, but the beach still remains a safe bet for families.
—Timbers Kauai, The Seattle Times, 18 Sep. 2017
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.
Rachel Ng, AFAR Media, 7 May 2025
On another visit to the island, Cushman and I had anchored in Presque Isle Bay, and trekked on a tombolo, a bridge of sand connecting Presque Isle Point to the rest of Stockton Island, dotted with flowers.
—Brian Clark, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022
Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii Located on the sunny southern shore of Kauai, Poipu Beach is actually made up of two spectacular beaches separated by a narrow sand spit called a tombolo.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2020
After its shadowy start in a deep pine forest, the canopy opens overhead as the trail winds past a large swamp and across swaths of huge rocks to the tombolo — a spit of land that connects to Governor’s Island.
—Peter Marteka, courant.com, 9 Oct. 2019
The trail crosses swaths of huge rocks to a tombolo — a spit of land that connects to Governor’s Island.
—Peter Marteka, courant.com, 27 Sep. 2019
Recent storms have made the tombolo weaker, so currents are increasing within the lagoon, but the beach still remains a safe bet for families.
—Timbers Kauai, The Seattle Times, 18 Sep. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Tombolo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tombolo. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share