Mariana Islands

Mariana Islands [mair-ee-an-uh, mar-, mair-, mar-; Spanish mah-ree-ah-nah] noun (used with a plural verb)

1. 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).

Compare North Mariana Islands. 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/. British Dictionary definitions for mariana islands Mariana Islands pl n

1. 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