# archipelago

/ˌɑɹkəˈpɛɫəˌɡoʊ/ (US) · /ˌɑːkɪpɪlˈeɪɡəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/archipelago
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a group of islands

noun · CEFR B2

a large group or chain of islands in the sea.

For teachers: a group of many islands, often forming a chain or cluster within a specific body of water.

- The Indonesian archipelago consists of thousands of islands spread across the ocean.
- The explorer spent years navigating the vast archipelago, documenting the unique flora and fauna found on each isolated landmass.

### 2. a sea with many islands

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a sea or area of water that contains many islands.

For teachers: a body of water interspersed with many islands; historically used to refer specifically to the Aegean Sea.

- The ship sailed through the blue waters of the archipelago during the summer.
- In classical texts, the term was frequently used to describe the Aegean archipelago, emphasizing the sea itself rather than just the land.

### 3. a scattered group of things

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a group of things that are scattered or spread out like islands.

For teachers: a figurative extension referring to a collection of scattered or isolated items that resemble a group of islands.

- The city was an archipelago of small parks surrounded by tall buildings.
- The author describes the network of safe houses as a secret archipelago, hidden within the vast expanse of the occupied territory.

## Examples

- The Philippines is a large archipelago.
- The volcanic archipelago offers unique hiking trails on every island.
- Navigating the complex archipelago requires careful charting, as the narrow channels between islands shift with the tides and seasonal currents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.