island Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
  2. noun a zone or area resembling an island

WordNet

Is"land noun
Etymology
OE. iland, yland, AS. igland, gland, glond; ig, g, island + land, lond, land. AS. ig, g, is akin to AS. eá water, river, OHG. uwa, G. au meadow, Icel. ey island, Dan. & Sw. ö, Goth. ahwa a stream, water, L. aqua water. The s is due to confusion with isle. Cf. Ait, Eyot, Ewer, Aquatic.
Definitions
  1. A tract of land surrounded by water, and smaller than a continent. Cf. Continent.
  2. Anything regarded as resembling an island; as, an island of ice.
  3. (Zoöl.) See Isle, n., 2.
Is"land transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to become or to resemble an island; to make an island or islands of; to isle. Shelley.
  2. To furnish with an island or with islands; as, to island the deep. Southey.

Webster 1913