a group of islands in the SW Pacific, an overseas territory of New Zealand: consists of the Lower Cooks and the Northern Cooks Capital: Avarua, on Rarotonga. Pop: 10 447 (2013 est). Area: 234 sq km (90 sq miles)
Cook Islands in American English
group of islands in the South Pacific, west of the Society Islands: a self-governing territory associated with New Zealand: 113 sq mi (293 sq km); pop. 19,000