: a low island or reef of sand or coral

Examples of cay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The country itself consists of 32 different islands and cays, including the island of Canouan which has become a popular destination for tourists due to the new hotels opening, including a Soho House. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 9 Oct. 2024 As the largest and most picturesque cay in La Cordillera Nature Reserve, Cayo Icacos has lots of coral reefs that provide excellent opportunities for snorkeling and exploring an active marine ecosystem, filled with sea turtles and starfish. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 Then in June this year, a 65-year-old man died after his yacht capsized off Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef. Peter Guo, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024 Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s length is equivalent to that of the entire west coast of the U.S., yet accounts for 10 percent of the entire planet’s coral reef ecosystems — that’s nearly 3,000 coral reefs, 300 coral cays, 600 continental islands, and 150 inshore mangrove islands. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cay 

Word History

Etymology

Spanish cayo — more at key

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cay was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near cay

Cite this Entry

“Cay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cay. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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