Australia

Proper noun

Australia

1. An island of Oceania.
   • 1693: translation of a French novel by Jacques Sadeur (believed to be a pen name of Gabriel de Foigny) titled Les Aventures de Jacques Sadeur dans la Découverte et le Voiage de la Terre Australe published 1692, translation published in London in 1693. Quoted in The Australian Language by Sidney J....
   • Had I permitted myself any innovation upon the original term, it would have been to convert it into AUSTRALIA; as being more agreeable to the ear, and an assimilation to the names of the other great portions of the earth.1814, Matthew Flinders, A Voyage to Terra Australis, volume 1 (at Project Gutenberg)
2. A country consisting of a main island, the island of Tasmania and other smaller islands, located in Oceania; historically, a collection of former colonies of the British Empire. Official name: Commonwealth of Australia. Capital: Canberra.
   • During Movember (the month formerly known as November), men around the globe grow mustaches (hence the name) while raising money for men’s health issues. Movember started in Australia in 2003.2011 November 1, Emily Smith, “‘Movember’ gets hairy, for a cause”, in CNN
   • The statement did not specify the location of that trip, but provided further details of her romantic life, stating that Saroukos and her husband spent eight days together before she returned to Australia on Dec. 21.2025 May 30, Riley Cedar, “Soldier’s wife deported to Australia after detainment in Hawaii”, in Military Times

   Synonyms:

   Aussie, Aussieland, land down under, New Holland, Oz, Terra Australis, Upsidedownland, Stralia, Straya

3. A continent consisting of the land on the Australian tectonic plate, i.e. Australia, New Guinea and intervening islands.
   • He is going to Australia for his honeymoon for 10 days.

   Synonyms:

   Meganesia, Sahul, Oceania