island

Definitions

1. noun

   A piece of land with water all around it.

   Examples

   • They spent their honeymoon on a tropical island.
   • It is only an island if you look at it from the water.
2. noun

   A piece of land almost surrounded by water.

   Examples

   • The island was reachable only by boat.
   • The little island is joined to the coast by a thin strip of land.
3. noun

   Something that stands apart from very different things around it.

   Examples

   • The quiet library was an island of calm in the busy city.
   • There was an island of color on the butterfly's wing.
   ≈oasis
4. noun

   The tall tower on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

   Examples

   • The captain watched the flight deck from the island.
   • Radar equipment was mounted on top of the island.
5. noun

   A small raised area in the middle of a road.

   Examples

   • Pedestrians waited on the island before crossing.
   • The car swerved to avoid the traffic island.
6. noun

   In British English, a roundabout.

   Examples

   • Turn right at the island.
   • This island near Birmingham is confusing to drive around.
7. noun

   A counter or table you can use from all sides.

   Examples

   • They gathered around the kitchen island for breakfast.
   • She put a bowl of fruit on the island.
8. noun

   A freestanding counter in a kitchen.

   Examples

   • They redid the kitchen and added an island.
   • The island has a built-in sink and extra counter space.
9. noun

   A small area that lies inside a town but is not part of it.

   Examples

   • The small island stayed outside the city's control.
   • People on the island paid different taxes than their neighbors.
10. noun

    In grammar, a phrase that blocks a question word from moving out of it.

    Examples

    • Linguists call this kind of phrase an island.
    • The relative clause forms an island in this sentence.