- the principal island of the Society Islands, in the southern Pacific. 402 sq. mi. (1,041 sq. km). Capital: Papeete.
- an island in the S Pacific, in the Windward group of the Society Islands: the largest and most important island in French Polynesia; became a French protectorate in 1842 and a colony in 1880. Capital: Papeete. Pop: 169 674 (2002). Area: 1005 sq km (388 sq miles)
