archipelago
UK: ˌɑːkɪˈpeləɡəʊ | US: ˌɑːrkɪˈpeləɡoʊ
n. a group of islands
n. a sea or stretch of water containing many islands
The word "archipelago" originates from Italian arcipelago, derived from Medieval Greek arkhipélagos (ἀρχιπέλαγος), combining arkhi- (chief, principal) and pélagos (sea). Originally, it referred specifically to the Aegean Sea, known for its many islands. Over time, the term generalized to describe any island group or sea studded with islands. The morpheme archi- (chief) reflects the prominence of such seas, while pelago (sea) anchors the word’s maritime essence.
The Greek archipelago is famous for its stunning islands like Santorini and Mykonos.
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, comprising over 17,000 islands.
The archipelago’s biodiversity attracts scientists and tourists alike.
Sailors navigated carefully through the rocky archipelago.
The Philippine archipelago stretches over 1,800 kilometers from north to south.