Illustration of atoll
: a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoon
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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
The Italian retailer — which boasts flagships in Milan, Lugano, Switzerland, and Ibiza, Spain — has opened a temporary space inside the Patina Maldives luxury hospitality venue on Fari Islands, part of the North Malé atoll.
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Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
During the same patrol, coast guard personnel discovered a second buoy at the northern end of Scarborough Shoal, after spotting one placed near the middle of the atoll earlier in the week, the official said.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Some resorts in the atoll, such as Finolhu, take an active role in the coral's preservation, and its efforts are led by its resident marine biologist, Ivana Tobar.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Brando, the owner of an atoll in Tahiti, where his family dwelled, had become the beggar of Hollywood, who had to feed on crumbs.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
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Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025
During the same patrol, coast guard personnel discovered a second buoy at the northern end of Scarborough Shoal, after spotting one placed near the middle of the atoll earlier in the week, the official said.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Some resorts in the atoll, such as Finolhu, take an active role in the coral's preservation, and its efforts are led by its resident marine biologist, Ivana Tobar.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Brando, the owner of an atoll in Tahiti, where his family dwelled, had become the beggar of Hollywood, who had to feed on crumbs.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atoll
Cite this Entry
“Atoll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atoll. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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