marshall islands: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low frequency in general English; higher in geopolitical, environmental, or historical contexts.)Formal, Academic, Geopolitical, Historical. Used in news, documentaries, academic papers, and travel writing.
Quick answer
What does “marshall islands” mean?
A sovereign island country and associated state located in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of 29 coral atolls and five isolated islands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sovereign island country and associated state located in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of 29 coral atolls and five isolated islands.
The term also refers to the nation's geopolitical entity, its people (Marshallese), and its culture. Historically, it is associated with nuclear testing by the United States in the mid-20th century.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation differences follow general UK/US patterns for the component words 'Marshall' and 'Islands'.
Connotations
In both varieties, strong connotations with nuclear history, climate change vulnerability (sea-level rise), and remote Pacific culture.
Frequency
Equal, low frequency in both varieties, spiking during relevant news events.
Grammar
How to Use “marshall islands” in a Sentence
Located in the Marshall IslandsBased in the Marshall IslandsTravel to the Marshall IslandsOriginate from the Marshall IslandsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marshall islands” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The foreign secretary discussed climate aid with the Marshall Islands.
- A study of coral resilience is underway in the Marshall Islands.
American English
- The Marshall Islands ambassador addressed the UN General Assembly.
- The legacy of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands is still being studied.
adjective
British English
- The Marshall Islands coastline is particularly vulnerable.
- They signed a new Marshall Islands fisheries agreement.
American English
- She is an expert on Marshall Islands history.
- The Marshall Islands community in Arkansas is growing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in context of fisheries, shipping, or international aid agreements.
Academic
Frequent in political science (Compact of Free Association with the US), environmental science (sea-level rise), history (nuclear testing, WWII).
Everyday
Low frequency, mainly in news about climate change or geopolitics.
Technical
Used in oceanography, climatology, international law (Law of the Sea).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marshall islands”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marshall islands”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marshall islands”
- Incorrect: 'Marshall Island' (singular, except when referring to a single island like 'Majuro Atoll'). Correct: 'the Marshall Islands' (plural with 'the').
- Incorrect: 'Marshall's Islands'. Correct: 'Marshall Islands' (no apostrophe).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are a sovereign nation in 'free association' with the United States. The Compact of Free Association gives the US defense responsibilities and certain military rights, while Marshall Islands citizens have visa-free access to the US.
Because the nation's average elevation is just 2 meters above sea level, making it one of the countries most immediately threatened by rising sea levels and storm surges.
Majuro, which is an atoll, not a single island city in the traditional sense.
The official languages are Marshallese and English.
A sovereign island country and associated state located in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of 29 coral atolls and five isolated islands.
Marshall islands is usually formal, academic, geopolitical, historical. used in news, documentaries, academic papers, and travel writing. in register.
Marshall islands: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑː.ʃəl ˈaɪ.ləndz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːr.ʃəl ˈaɪ.ləndz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific. Potential historical reference: 'Bikini Atoll' (part of the Marshall Islands) entered common usage for swimwear.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MARSHALL (like a police officer) standing on a tiny ISLAND in the middle of the vast Pacific, trying to keep order. It's an archipelago 'marshalled' together.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRAGILE FRONTLINE (against climate change), LIVING LABORATORY (for nuclear after-effects), REMOTE OUTPOST.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining historical event associated with the Marshall Islands?