Word
atoll
US/ˈæˌtɑɫ/
UK/ˈætɒl/
Definition
n. a ring-shaped island made of coral that forms around a lagoon. It is usually found in the ocean and is surrounded by water.
n. a ring-shaped coral island or reef, typically surrounding a lagoon. Formed by the growth of coral on the rim of a volcanic crater or on the edge of a submerged island.
Examples
“The island is a small atoll in the middle of the ocean.”
“Many of the islands in the Pacific are actually atolls formed by coral reefs over thousands of years.”
“The unique ecosystem of the atoll is maintained by the delicate balance between the coral reef and the surrounding lagoon, which provides a protected habitat for various marine species.”
Examples
simple
“The island is a small atoll in the middle of the ocean.”
contextual
“Many of the islands in the Pacific are actually atolls formed by coral reefs over thousands of years.”
complex
“The unique ecosystem of the atoll is maintained by the delicate balance between the coral reef and the surrounding lagoon, which provides a protected habitat for various marine species.”
Real-World Examples
“In March 1954, a tuna fishing boat named Daigo Fukuryū Maru, or Lucky Dragon Five, was contaminated by fallout from a US thermonuclear test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.” Etymology
Borrowed from Portuguese atol, from Dhivehi އަތޮޅު (atoḷu), possibly from Prakrit 𑀲𑀁𑀢𑀻𑀞 (saṃtīṭha), from Sanskrit संतीर्थ (saṃtīrtha, “level ford”). The traditional etymology from Persian آبتل (âb-tal, “water-hillock”) is unlikely.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/atoll