atoll

noun

ˈa-ˌtȯl 

-ˌtäl,

-ˌtōl,

ˈā- 

: a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoon

Illustration of atoll

Did you know?

If you are lucky enough to sail south and west of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, you'll find the Maldives, a group of about 1,200 coral islands and sandbanks that form the Republic of Maldives. Many islands in that independent nation demonstrate the archetypal atoll, and geographers often use them to point out the characteristic features of such coral islands. Given how prevalent atolls are there, it isn't surprising that atoll comes from the name for that kind of island in Divehi, the official language of the Maldives.

Examples of atoll in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

China and the Philippines contest sovereignty over some islands and atolls in the South China Sea, with growing maritime run-ins between their coast guards as both vie to patrol the waters. —Liz Lee, USA Today, 3 June 2025

Its flagship program is eradicating invasive species in the atoll’s coral reef. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Additionally, The Brando supports conservation initiatives and scientific research programs to preserve the atoll’s unique ecosystem. —Alesandra Dubin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025

China's maritime forces seized effective control over the uninhabited atoll after a 2012 standoff with the Philippines. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Divehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldive Islands) atolu

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for atoll

• aldol
• armhole
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale
• downfall

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Kids Definition

atoll

noun

ˈa-ˌtȯl  -ˌtäl 

-ˌtōl,

ˈā-

: a coral island consisting of a coral reef surrounding a lagoon