a group of islands in the S Pacific: administratively part of French Polynesia; consists of the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands; became a French protectorate in 1843 and a colony in 1880. Pop: 214 445 (2002). Area: 1595 sq km (616 sq miles)
Society Islands in American English
group of islands in the South Pacific, constituting a division of French Polynesia: c. 613 sq mi (1,588 sq km); pop. 145,000; chief town, Papeete