Island
'aɪlənd
Definitions
2 meaningsA tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent.
'aɪlənd
A piece of land surrounded by water.
We spent our vacation on a beautiful island.
💡 Simply: An island is like a small piece of land that's got water all the way around it. Think of a vacation spot where you have to take a boat or plane to get there! For example, "We're going on vacation to a sunny island."
👶 For kids: An island is a piece of land with water all around it!
More Examples
The island is home to a diverse range of wildlife.
The ship was wrecked near a deserted island.
How It's Used
"The explorers landed on a tropical island."
"The novel was set on a mysterious, uncharted island."
A portion of something isolated or set apart like an island.
'aɪlənd
Something resembling an island (e.g., a traffic island).
The kitchen island provides extra space for preparing meals.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, 'island' can mean something that's separate or in the middle of something else, just like a real island. For example, "The kitchen island is great for prepping meals." or "The traffic island in the middle of the road helps keep cars safe."
👶 For kids: Sometimes "island" means a little piece in the middle of something, like a kitchen table or a safe place in the road.
More Examples
The traffic island is designed to improve safety.
The island in the center of the roundabout helps direct traffic.
How It's Used
"The traffic island separated the two lanes of traffic."
"The kitchen island provided extra counter space."
Idioms & expressions
No man is an island
Everyone depends on others; no one is completely self-sufficient.
"After the accident, he realized that no man is an island, and he needed the support of his friends and family."
desert island
An uninhabited island.
"He always dreamt of being stranded on a desert island to get away from it all."
From Old English īegland, īgland ('island'), from īeg ('island') + land ('land').
The word 'island' has been in use since Old English times, initially referring to land surrounded by water, reflecting the geographical context of the early English settlers.
Memory tip
Imagine a land mass completely surrounded by water.
Word Origin
"īeg ('island') + land ('land')"