Island definition
A landmass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.
noun
To intersperse with or as with islands.
A prairie islanded with wooded tracts.
verb
Something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or surrounded, as:
- An unattached kitchen counter providing easy access from all sides.
- A raised curbed area, often used to delineate rows of parking spaces or lanes of traffic.
- The superstructure of a ship, especially an aircraft carrier.
noun
(anatomy) A cluster of cells differing in structure or function from the cells constituting the surrounding tissue.
noun
A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.
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Anything like an island in position or isolation.
- A structure above the flight deck of an aircraft carrier containing the bridge, radar, etc.
- A counter which stands alone as in the central area of a kitchen.
- Any of the elevated areas of a service station, having a bank of gasoline pumps.A self-service island.
noun
To make into or like an island; isolate.
verb
(anatomy) A cluster of cells differing in structure or function from the cells constituting the surrounding tissue.
noun
An island is defined as a body of land surrounded by water.
An example of an island is Ellis Island in New York City.
noun
To set, dot (as if) with islands.
verb
(in New York City) Long Island (in New York State)
pronoun
(in British Columbia) Vancouver Island.
pronoun
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The definition of an island is an area that is isolated or stands alone.
An example of an island is a central counter in a kitchen.
An example of an island is a raised area in the center of a road.
noun
A land mass not as large as a continent, surrounded by water.
noun
(anat.) A tissue or cluster of cells differing from surrounding tissue in formation, etc.
noun
An island of tranquility (a calm place surrounded by a noisy environment)
An island of colour on a butterfly's wing.
noun
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(chiefly UK) A traffic island.
The island in the middle of a roundabout.
noun
To surround with water; make into an island.
verb
To make into or as if into an island; insulate.
A secluded mansion, islanded by shrubbery and fences.
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
island
Plural:
islandsOrigin of island
-
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From earlier iland, from Middle English iland, yland, ylond, from Old English īġland, īeġland, ēaland (“island”), from Old English īeġ (“island”) (from Proto-Germanic *awiz, *awjō (“island, water, waterland, meadow”), from Proto-Indo-European *akw- (“water”)) + land (“land”), equivalent to ea + land. Cognate with Scots iland, yland (“island”), West Frisian eilân (“island”), Saterland Frisian Ailound (“island”), Dutch eiland (“island”), Low German Eiland (“island”), German Eiland (“island”), Danish øland (“island”), Icelandic eyland (“island”). The erroneous insertion of s—a late (16th century) spelling modification—is due to unrelated term isle. Related also to German Aue (“water-meadow”), Latin aqua (“water”). More at ea.
From Wiktionary