Palau
Britishnoun
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Former name: Pelew Islands. a republic comprising a group of islands in the W Pacific, in the W Caroline Islands; administratively part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 1947–87; entered into an agreement of free association with the US (1980); became fully independent in 1994. Chief island: Babelthuap. Capital: Melekeok, on Babelthuap (functions moved from Koror in 2006). Pop: 21 108 (2013 est). Area: 476 sq km (184 sq miles)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The compacts of free association with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau were negotiated to resolve a specific historical reality.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026
And given Palau’s strategic location, global powers will have an interest in Palau whether the island nation wants it or not, he added.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026
The US, for example, has struck a similar deal with the Pacific nations of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands - all independent countries that give the US access to defence rights.
From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026
North Korean smuggling networks have long exploited shipping registries in South Pacific nations such as Palau, Niue and Tuvalu.
From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025
Palau: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing.
From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.