Sumatra

[soo-mah-truh]

noun

1. a large island in the W part of Indonesia. 164,147 sq. mi. (425,141 sq. km).

Sumatra

/ sʊˈmɑːtrə /

noun

1. Indonesian spellling: Sumatera. a mountainous island in W Indonesia, in the Greater Sunda Islands, separated from the Malay Peninsula by the Strait of Malacca: Dutch control began in the 16th century; joined Indonesia in 1945. Northern coastal areas, esp Aceh province, suffered devastation as a result of the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Pop: 42 409 510 (2000). Area: 473 606 sq km (182 821 sq miles)

Sumatra

1. Island in Indonesia in the Indian Ocean northwest of Java and west of Malaysia.

Though much of the island is covered by swampland and impenetrable rain forest, Sumatra's industries — including oil, coal, gold, silver, rubber, timber, and tobacco — produce over half of Indonesia's income.

Other Word Forms

• Sumatran adjective

Example Sentences

Orangutans survive only in the dwindling tropical rainforests of Borneo and northern Sumatra, being dependent on the forest for food and nesting sites.

From Salon

The largest earthquakes recorded in history, including the three strongest in Chile, Alaska and Sumatra, were all megathrust earthquakes.

From BBC

That hit approximately 160km off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.

From BBC

This rare and endangered plant is endemic to the Sumatra Island of Indonesia, but is the crown jewel of many botanical centers across the globe.

From Salon

Born to a Canadian mother and American father in Sumatra, Indonesia, Mahaffey relocated as a teen to Texas.

From BBC