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Glite Dictionary
Midway Atoll

Midway Atoll

7.4
A ring of small islands in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands that is the site of the Battle of Midway
  • proper noun
  • /ˈmɪdweɪ əˈtɔl/
translation icon : Atolón Midway
  • The U.S. established a significant naval base on Midway Atoll during World War II.

Examples

  • The poison source is a decaying military base on Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

    Blog text (25)

  • The Battle of Midway Atoll was a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater.

  • Located in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Midway Atoll is known for its rich biodiversity.

Synonyms

Midway Islands
vsMidway Atoll
6.8

A small group of islands in the central Pacific Ocean where the United States has a military base

is more associated with a specific World War II battle than general naval importance

Surface Forms

Midway Atoll main

Morphology

Midway + atoll

This is a straightforward proper-name + noun combination: 'atoll' clearly indicates a coral island and 'Midway' functions as the place name, so the compound denotes the atoll called Midway. The compositional structure is cross-linguistically common and a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer it is an island/place named Midway.

Etymology

Midway Atoll gets its name from its location: a ring-shaped island, an atoll, sitting about halfway across the North Pacific — a midway point between Asia and North America. That simple 'in the middle' picture helps explain why it became an important U.S. navy base and why the Battle of Midway Atoll was a turning point in World War II.