barrier island
noun
: a long broad sandy island lying parallel to a shore that is built up by the action of waves, currents, and winds and that protects the shore from the effects of the ocean
Examples of barrier island in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These horses ran wild on the barrier islands of the Lowcountry, frequently rounded up and used for dependable mounts and agricultural needs by local farmers.
—
Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami Just outside downtown Miami on the southernmost barrier island in the United States, this 12-acre resort delivers the intimacy of a private island escape but with the convenient location of a city hotel.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
On November 17, the Ranger and the Jane made their way north from Virginia’s James River toward the barrier islands of North Carolina.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
Arriving just two weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, the system flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays' baseball stadium and toppled a construction crane.
—CBS News, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier island 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami Just outside downtown Miami on the southernmost barrier island in the United States, this 12-acre resort delivers the intimacy of a private island escape but with the convenient location of a city hotel.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
On November 17, the Ranger and the Jane made their way north from Virginia’s James River toward the barrier islands of North Carolina.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
Arriving just two weeks after the devastating Hurricane Helene, the system flooded barrier islands, tore the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays' baseball stadium and toppled a construction crane.
—CBS News, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier island
Dictionary Entries Near barrier island
Cite this Entry
“Barrier island.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier%20island. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share