Ellis Island
noun
an island in upper New York Bay: a former U.S. immigrant examination station.
Cultural definitions for ellis island (1 of 2)
Ellis Island
An island in the harbor of New York City. The chief immigration station of the United States was on Ellis Island from 1892 to 1943, a time when millions of people, especially from Europe, came to the United States.
notes for Ellis Island
Ellis Island lies near the
Statue of Liberty, which made an impressive sight for people approaching the United States for the first time.
notes for Ellis Island
1990 marked the opening of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
Cultural definitions for ellis island (2 of 2)
notes for Ellis Island
From 1892 to 1954, it served as the prime immigration station of the country. Some twelve million immigrants passed through it during this time.
notes for Ellis Island
Part of the
Statue of Liberty National Monument.