WorldAugust 16, 2026
archipelago
AR-kuh-peh-luh-go
Definition
A large group or chain of islands.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'arkhi' (chief) and 'pelagos' (sea), it originally referred to the Aegean Sea before the term evolved to describe the island groups within it.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe Indonesia, noting that the nation consists of more than 17,000 islands, which contributes to its high susceptibility to seismic activity.
Rescuers dig through rubble, landslides after Indonesia quake kills at least 47
Read the full article ↗The Boston Globe