Definition of "island" []

• A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water. (noun)
• Something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or surrounded, as: (noun)
• An unattached kitchen counter providing easy access from all sides. (noun)
• A raised curbed area, often used to delineate rows of parking spaces or lanes of traffic. (noun)
• The superstructure of a ship, especially an aircraft carrier. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Abyssinian coast, and anchored at night three leagues short of it, under an island which we named _Crab island_, owing to the great abundance of crabs we found there."
• "Ethiopia, [Southern Africa,] close adjoining to which is a small island, called _Conie island_, [Dassen island] all low land, and bordered by many dangerous rocks to seawards."
• "On an island like this, I use the term island because it is only accessible by boat and cut off from the main world, time is not a valuable commodity."