Definition

Proper noun 1. The Aleutian Islands: A volcanic archipelago in the North Pacific Ocean, forming part of the US state of Alaska and extending in an arc southwest from the Alaska Peninsula toward the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. It forms the dividing line between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea.

Usage

• The Aleutians are known for their harsh, foggy weather and unique ecosystem.
• During World War II, a few islands in the Aleutians were occupied by Japanese forces.
• The chain of the Aleutians consists of 14 large volcanic islands and about 55 smaller ones.

Advanced Usage

• "the Aleutians": This is the standard and most common way to refer to the island chain. It is almost always used with the definite article and treated as a plural proper noun.
  • Fishing is a major industry in the Aleutians.
• Aleutian: Used as an adjective to describe things related to the islands.
  • The Aleutian tern is a bird native to the region.
  • They studied Aleutian volcanic activity.

Variants and Related Words

• Aleutian (adj): Of or relating to the Aleutian Islands.
• Aleut (n): 1. A member of the indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands and western Alaska. 2. The language spoken by the Aleut people.

Synonyms

• Aleutian Islands
• Aleutian chain

Notes on Meaning

This word refers specifically to the geographical location. While closely associated with the Aleut people and culture, the term "Aleutians" itself denotes the physical archipelago.

Noun

1. an archipelago in the North Pacific extending southwest from Alaska