Archipelago
/ˌɑːrkɪˈpɛləɡoʊ/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A sea or stretch of water containing many islands.
/ˌɑːrkɪˈpɛləɡoʊ/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
A large group or chain of islands
The Aegean archipelago is famous for its beautiful islands.
💡 Simply: A bunch of islands in the sea.
More Examples
2
He dreamed of sailing through the vast archipelago.
How It's Used
Geography
"The Indonesian archipelago is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth."
From Italian *arcipelago*, ultimately from Greek *ἀρχιπελάγος* (*arkhipelagos*), literally "chief sea", from *ἀρχι-* (*arkhi-) "chief" + *πέλαγος* (*pelagos*) "sea".
The word has been used in its current geographical sense since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Arch (like an archway connecting islands) + pelago (sea)
Practice
archipelgoarchipeligoarchepelago
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written