Isthmus
noun /ˈɪs.məs/ — A narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses.
Definition
A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, connecting two larger pieces of land. Isthmuses are of strategic geographic importance — natural chokepoints, crossroads of trade and military movement. The most famous are Panama and Suez.
Beyond the definition
An isthmus is the world's way of almost dividing things — close enough that connection survives, narrow enough that crossing is always dramatic.
Origin & history
From Latin 'isthmus', from Greek 'isthmos' (neck, narrow passage). The word has been in English since the 16th century.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The Isthmus of Panama was one of the most strategically significant pieces of land in the world — and became a canal.
She thought of the space between their conversations as a kind of isthmus — narrow but necessary, where everything that mattered crossed.
Corinth's power in the ancient world came from its position on the narrow isthmus controlling traffic between two seas.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Isthmus” when the meaning fits your context: A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, connecting two larger pieces of land. Isthmuses are of strategic geographic importance — natural chokepoints, crossroads of trade and military movement. The most famous are Panama and Suez.
Synonyms
neck of land, land bridge, strip
Antonyms
strait, channel, open water
Related words
Isthmus vs strait
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land between two bodies of water. A strait is a narrow channel of water between two larger landmasses.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Narrow Land Bridge Between Seas
A narrow strip of green land connects two larger land masses, with blue water clearly visible on both sides.
This aerial view highlights the strategic geography of a land bridge. It visually demonstrates how a narrow natural neck acts as a chokepoint or connector, illustrating the geographic importance of such thresholds between larger, distinct territories.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Isthmus" mean?
Isthmus is noun meaning: A narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses.. A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, connecting two larger pieces of land. Isthmuses are of strategic geographic importance — natural chokepoints, crossroads of trade and military movement. The most famous are Panama and Suez.
Where does the word "Isthmus" come from?
From Latin 'isthmus', from Greek 'isthmos' (neck, narrow passage). The word has been in English since the 16th century.