a coral island of SW Japan, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands in the N Pacific: scene of heavy fighting in World War II; administered by the US (1945–72); agricultural. Chief town: Naha. Pop: 1 318 218 (2000). Area: 1176 sq km (454 sq miles)
Okinawa in American English
(ˌoʊkəˈnɑwə)
largest island of the Ryukyus, in the W Pacific northeast of Taiwan: 454 sq mi (1,176 sq km); chief city, Naha