atoll

The definition of an atoll is a ring shaped coral reef, or close coral islands that enclose or almost enclose a lagoon.

(noun)

The Bikini in the Pacific Ocean is an example of an atoll.

See atoll in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a ring-shaped coral island nearly or completely surrounding a lagoon

Origin: < atolu, in Maldive Islands dial. of Malayalam

See atoll in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A ringlike coral island and reef that nearly or entirely encloses a lagoon.

Origin:

Origin: Maldivean atolu

Origin: ; probably akin to Sinhalese ätul, interior (from the interior lagoon)

Origin: , probably from Sanskrit *antala-, interior

Origin: , variant of antara-; see en in Indo-European roots

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atoll

An atoll is created as a coral reef builds up around an eroding volcanic island.

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