Nantucket

Nan·tuck·et

N0012500 (năn-tŭk′ĭt) An island of southeast Massachusetts south of Cape Cod, from which it is separated by Nantucket Sound, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. Settled in 1659, the island was part of New York until 1692, when it was ceded to Massachusetts. It was a whaling center until the mid-1850s and is now a popular resort.

Nan·tuck′et·er n.

Nantucket

(nænˈtʌkɪt) n (Placename) an island off SE Massachusetts: formerly a centre of the whaling industry; now a resort. Length: nearly 24 km (15 miles). Width: 5 km (3 miles). Pop (county and town): 10 724 (2003 est)

Nan•tuck•et

(nænˈtʌk ɪt)

n. an island off SE Massachusetts: summer resort. 5087; 15 mi. (24 km) long.

Thesaurus

Noun

Nantucket - an island resort off Cape Cod; formerly a center of the whaling industry

Nantucket

(năntŭk`ĭt), island, c.14 mi (23 km) long, from 3 to 6 mi (4.8–9.6 km) wide, SE Mass., lying c.25 mi (40 km) S of Cape Cod, from which it is separated by Nantucket Sound. Muskeget Channel is located between Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard to the west. Exhibiting evidence of glaciation (terminal moraine, outwash plain), Nantucket has sandy beaches and low, rolling hills composed of sand and gravel. It is sparsely vegetated; wild cranberries, heather, and wild roses predominate. Nantucket and the small adjacent islands constitute both Nantucket town and Nantucket co. Settled in 1659, the island was part of New York from 1660 to 1692, when it was ceded to Massachusetts. Nantucket was a major whaling port until the decline of the industry (c.1850), and it later developed into a well-known resort and artists' colony. The village of Nantucket is the trade center of the island and is known for its many old houses. The island has a whaling museum and an 18th-century windmill. The first U.S. lightship station (est. 1856) is located near Nantucket.

Nantucket

an island off SE Massachusetts: formerly a centre of the whaling industry; now a resort. Length: nearly 24 km (15 miles). Width: 5 km (3 miles). Pop. (county and town): 10 724 (2003 est.)