robben island: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “robben island” mean?
An island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, historically used as a prison.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, historically used as a prison.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle, particularly as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both use 'Robben Island'.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes historical significance and the apartheid era.
Frequency
Equally low in general usage, but may be more familiar in educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “robben island” in a Sentence
be imprisoned on Robben Islandtravel to Robben Islandlearn about Robben IslandVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in tourism or heritage management contexts.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and African studies.
Everyday
Used in discussions about South Africa, history, or human rights.
Technical
In geography, it refers to a specific island; in heritage studies, as a World Heritage Site.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “robben island”
- Misspelling as 'Robin Island'
- Mispronouncing the first syllable as /roʊb/ instead of /rɒb/ or /rɑːb/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Robben Island is located off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.
It is famous for being a prison where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were held.
Yes, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Yes, Robben Island is open to tourists and offers guided tours.
An island off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, historically used as a prison.
Robben island is usually formal in register.
Robben island: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɒb.ən ˈaɪ.lənd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɑː.bən ˈaɪ.lənd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Robben Island spirit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember Robben Island as the place where Nelson Mandela's 'Long Walk to Freedom' began.
Conceptual Metaphor
A prison of oppression transformed into a beacon of hope.
Practice
Quiz
What is Robben Island best known for?