Search

a ring-shaped coral reef or a string of closely spaced small coral islands, enclosing or nearly enclosing a shallow lagoon.
Contemporary Examples

First, you would have to decide that the atoll was a viable option.
Amelia Earhart Breakthrough? Don’t Bet On It Clive Irving June 2, 2012

Plus, Kate and William could hardly have picked a worse time for their luxury vacation to a resort in Noonu atoll.
William and Kate Leave Baby George Behind As They Jet Off On Maldive Holiday Tom Sykes March 6, 2014

Local paper HaveeryOnline reports that the royal couple are known to be spending their vacation at a resort in Noonu atoll.
ANOTHER Vacay for Kate and William Tom Sykes March 5, 2014

Historical Examples

But there is a third kind of reef, of very common occurrence in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which goes by the name of “atoll.”
Autobiography and Selected Essays Thomas Henry Huxley

The atoll is known, but uncharted, because it is far outside the routes.
The Pagan Madonna Harold MacGrath

Once more he raised the glass to his eye and gazed toward the inlet of the atoll.
Adrift on the Pacific Edward S. Ellis

With this chart a landlubber could have gone straight to the atoll.
The Pagan Madonna Harold MacGrath

At Bulubul, another island of this atoll, a downy young was obtained on August 22.
The Avifauna of Micronesia, Volume 3 Rollin H. Baker

For a trifling sum I could have chartered a schooner and sought the atoll.
The Pagan Madonna Harold MacGrath

But the Misi and Cactus, unable to get clear of each other, went ashore on the atoll half a mile from the passage.
A Son Of The Sun Jack London

noun
a circular coral reef or string of coral islands surrounding a lagoon
n.

1620s, atollon, from Malayam atolu “reef,” probably from adal “closing, uniting.” Popularized in present form by Darwin’s writings.
atoll
(āt’ôl’, ā’tôl’)

A coral island or series of coral islands forming a ring that nearly or entirely encloses a shallow lagoon. Atolls are surrounded by deep ocean water and range in diameter from about 1 km (0.62 mi) to over 100 km (62 mi). They are especially common in the western and central Pacific Ocean and are believed to form along the fringes of underwater volcanoes. Compare barrier reef, fringing reef.

atoll [(a-tawl, a-tol, ay-tawl, ay-tol)]

A coral island that surrounds a lagoon. (See coral reef.)

Acceptance, Test Or Launch Language