Mariana Islands
[ mair-ee-an-uh, mar-, mair-, mar-; Spanish mah-ree-ah-nah ]
/ ˈmɛər iˈæn ə, ˈmær-, ˌmɛər-, ˌmær-; Spanish ˌmɑ riˈɑ nɑ /
noun (used with a plural verb)
a group of 15 small islands in the Pacific, E of the Philippines: divided into Guam, a possession of the U.S., and the North Marianas, formally under U.S. trusteeship. 453 sq. mi. (1127 sq. km).
Also called
Mar·i·an·as. Formerly
La·drone Is·lands
[luh-drohn] /ləˈdroʊn/,
La·drones
[luh-drohnz; Spanish lah-th raw-nes] /ləˈdroʊnz; Spanish lɑˈðrɔ nɛs/.
Compare
North Mariana Islands.
British Dictionary definitions for mariana islands
Mariana Islands
/ (ˌmærɪˈɑːnə) /
pl n
a chain of volcanic and coral islands in the W Pacific, east of the Philippines and north of New Guinea: divided politically into Guam (a US unincorporated territory) and the islands north of Guam constituting the Northern Mariana Islands (a US commonwealth territory). Area: 1018 sq km (393 sq miles)
Former name (1521–1668): Ladrone Islands