Word
isthmus
Phoneticsisth·mus, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪsməs/
UK/ˈɪsθməs/
Definitions
01land bridge
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a narrow strip of land that has water on both sides and connects two bigger pieces of land.
n. a narrow strip of land, bordered on both sides by water, that serves as a bridge between two larger landmasses.
“The Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America while separating two oceans.”
“Geologically, the formation of the isthmus altered global ocean currents, effectively separating the Atlantic and Pacific ecosystems for millions of years.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02anatomical connection
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a narrow part of an organ or tissue that connects two larger parts of the body.
n. a narrow band of tissue or a constricted part of an organ that connects two larger structures.
“The thyroid isthmus is the small piece of tissue that joins the two sides of the gland.”
“During the surgical procedure, the surgeon carefully identified the isthmus of the thyroid to avoid damaging the underlying tracheal rings.”
Synonyms
03graph theory
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. a line in a network that, if removed, breaks the network into two separate parts.
n. an edge in a graph whose deletion increases the number of connected components.
“If you remove that isthmus from the diagram, the two groups of points will no longer be connected.”
“In network topology, identifying an isthmus is critical because its failure results in the immediate partitioning of the entire system.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“This former Spanish garrison-come-fishing village is set on an isthmus and best viewed from afar, from the monastery of Padri Passionisti atop Monte Argentario.” Etymology
Borrowing from Latin isthmus (“a strip of land between two seas”), from Ancient Greek ῐ̓σθμός (ĭsthmós, “neck, narrow passage”), possibly from εἶμῐ (eîmĭ, “to go”). Cognate to Old Norse eið (“isthmus”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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