an island in the W Pacific, in Papua New Guinea: the largest of the Solomon Islands: unilaterally declared independence in 1990; occupied by government troops in 1992, and granted autonomy in 2001. Chief town: Kieta. Area: 10 049 sq km (3880 sq miles)
Bougainville in British English2
(French buɡɛ̃vil)
noun
Louis Antoine de (lwi ɑ̃twan də). 1729–1811, French navigator
Bougainville in American English1
(bugɛ̃ˈvil)
Louis Anˈtoine de (lwiɑ̃ˈtwan də) 1729-1811; Fr. navigator & explorer
Bougainville in American English2
(ˈbugənˌvɪl)
largest of the Solomon Islands, in Papua New Guinea: 3,880 sq mi (10,049 sq km)