a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.
something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.
a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, especially a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.
safety island.
a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.
a clump of woodland in a prairie.
an isolated hill.
Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.
Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.
verb (used with object)
to make into an island.
to dot with islands.
to place on an island; isolate.
Origin of island
before 900; Middle English iland,Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, equivalent to īeg island (cognate with Old Norse ey) + landland; spelling with -s- by association with isle
This work focused on the island territory of Turks and Caicos.
Analyze This: Hurricanes may help lizards evolve better grips|Carolyn Wilke|August 26, 2020|Science News For Students
When they tested it on a small island off the coast of Spain, the vaccine seemed to spread to more than half of the local rabbit population.
Can Vaccines for Wildlife Prevent Human Pandemics?|Rodrigo Pérez Ortega|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
While walking across the island on a recent vacation, I was often interested in locating the point on the shore that was nearest to my current position.
Can You Reach The Beach?|Zach Wissner-Gross|August 7, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Critical exponents describe the details of this process, such as how the biggest islands grow.
The Cartoon Picture of Magnets That Has Transformed Science|Charlie Wood|June 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Moreover, Mathur said, the testing, surveillance and tracing strategy is “so robust” in the island nation that every positive test result leads to all of the patient’s contacts being tested as well.
Why South Asia’s COVID-19 Numbers Are So Low (For Now)|Puja Changoiwala|June 23, 2020|Quanta Magazine
But Krauss said that from the moment he and the other scientists arrived on the island, they never saw anything untoward.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Let Jourdan Dunn be the first of many—not an island, or badge of self-congratulation.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem|Danielle Belton|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They were able to purchase weapons and plot attacks on the island without much interference.
Of Cuban Spies, a Baby, and a Filmmaker: The Strange Tale of the Cuban Five|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today, as president, he constantly praises Fidel and Raúl in his speeches and frequently travels to the island.
Venezuela Says Goodbye to Its Lil Friend, While the Rest of the Continent Cheers|Catalina Lobo-Guererro|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This would take time since, under current law, even scouting Cuban baseball players on the island is illegal.
Is Major League Baseball Ready For Cuba’s Players?|Ben Jacobs|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The natives of this part of the island became very friendly, as soon as they had recovered from their first suspicions.
The Boys of 1812 and Other Naval Heroes|James Russell Soley
Next in importance to the fiscal laws for the revenue of the Island comes the currency question.
Industrial Cuba|Robert P. Porter
There was abundant vegetation upon the island, but it does not appear to have looked quite real.
The Treasury of Ancient Egypt|Arthur E. P. B. Weigall
She was trying to remember all she knew of the courts of the island—where they were held, and on what days.
The Manxman|Hall Caine
Her skeleton was long a conspicuous object, visited by ramblers on the Island.
Toronto of Old|Henry Scadding
British Dictionary definitions for island
island
/ (ˈaɪlənd) /
noun
a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent
See traffic island
anatomya part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundingsRelated adjective: insular
verb(tr)rare
to cause to become an island
to intersperse with islands
to place on an island; insulate; isolate
Derived forms of island
island-like, adjective
Word Origin for island
Old English īgland, from īg island + land; s inserted through influence of isle