island

noun

ˈī-lənd How to pronounce island (audio)
Definition of islandnext
as in isle
a fairly small area of land completely surrounded by water the island of Hawaii is the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of island The agency said that 77 people were rescued and were taken to an island on the lake. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 The Ossabaw Island Residency is somewhat of a revival of a legendary residency program that ran on the island from 1961 to 1982. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 In addition to simulating the dispersal of defense production, Taiwan is throttling the island’s mobile network to show civilians what happens when internet services are disabled. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Mount Krakatoa, an island volcano in what is now Indonesia, entered its catastrophic eruption phase. — USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for island
Recent Examples of Synonyms for island
  1. isle
  2. atoll
Noun
  • That detour plays into the hand of Mayor Humdinger who hatches a dirty rotten plan to mine the isle of its gem resources, a development that imperils all.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Local lore places Circe’s island, Aeaea, either on Ponza, the idyllic isle just off the coast, or at Monte Circeo, the imposing mountain named for her.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of isle
Noun
  • Colonial powers reshaped many atolls, removing native forests to plant fast-growing coconut palm plantations.
    — NPR, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The tiny coral limestone atoll was colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia before becoming an independent republic in 1968.
    — Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of atoll

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island
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Cite this Entry

“Island.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/island. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on island

Nglish: Translation of island for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about island

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