barrier island

noun

Definition of barrier island

: a long broad sandy island lying parallel to a shore that is built up by the action of waves, currents, and winds and that protects the shore from the effects of the ocean

Examples of barrier island in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Whooping cranes winter in Texas on a chain of barrier islands. — Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, "The Trump Administration Finds a New Target: Endangered Species," 16 Aug. 2019 In itself that's no small task: Mobile County's ecosystems include everything from freshwater creeks, rivers and streams to the barrier island environment of Dauphin Island. — al, "Mobile County moving forward with blueway kayak trail," 29 July 2019 That can also cause coastal flooding on Gulf-facing barrier islands. — Leigh Morgan, al.com, "Here’s what Barry has got in store for Alabama," 12 July 2019 Since 1998, the state and federal governments have spent $817 million rebuilding Pelican and more than a dozen other barrier islands on the Louisiana coast. — Tristan Baurick, nola.com, "Dredging, dams and other river controls starve places downriver of much-needed sediment," 15 June 2019 On Monday, an Indian rocket launched a spacecraft bound for the Moon from Sriharikota, a barrier island off the Bay of Bengal coast. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: Chinese firm first to orbit, Starhopper makes its big leap," 26 July 2019 Its grounds have been preserved to maintain its native barrier island ecosystem, one of the last in the state. — Catie Wegman, sun-sentinel.com, "Picture perfect: 12 South Florida spots that are sure to make you Instagram famous," 9 July 2019 The National Park Service said Sunday that Mississippi barrier island beaches remain open; rangers were monitoring water conditions. — BostonGlobe.com, "Toxic bacteria close Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches," 7 July 2019 An almost 14-foot jawbone believed to be from a right whale is now in a museum after a boater spotted it on a barrier island off Florida’s Atlantic Coast. — USA TODAY, "Chicago cows, bras for turtles, gold rush: News from around our 50 states," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'barrier island.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.