West Indies

geographical name

1

the islands lying between southeastern North America and northern South America bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic and comprising the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and Bahamas

2

or West Indies Federation former country including all of the British West Indies except the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands

Note: The West Indies Federation was established in 1958 and was dissolved in 1961.

West Indian adjective or noun