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# isthmus

noun (an isthmus, isthmuses)

«isthmus» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (geography) A narrow strip of land with sea on both sides that joins two larger pieces of land. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#m1)
2. (science) A narrow part joining two bigger parts in the body or in a plant. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#m2)

### In the lessons

In geography lessons pupils learn the Isthmus of Panama (joining North and South America, cut by the Panama Canal), the Isthmus of Suez and the Isthmus of Corinth; New Zealand's Auckland stands on an isthmus. It is the opposite idea of a strait (narrow sea joining two seas). Phrases: the Isthmus of Panama, a narrow isthmus.

### Examples

- The Isthmus of Panama joins North America and South America. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x1)
- Auckland is built on a narrow isthmus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x2)
- A canal was dug across the isthmus so ships could pass. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x3)
- On the map, the isthmus looks like a thin bridge of land. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x4)
- The castle stood at the end of a rocky isthmus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x5)
- At high tide the isthmus almost disappears under the waves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x6)
- An isthmus joins two lands; a strait joins two seas. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x7)
- At the isthmus of Corinth he was opposed by Atreus, the son of Pelops, who at the death of Eurystheus had inherited the kingdom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/#x8)

### Note

Countable: an isthmus, isthmuses (rarely isthmi). Pronounced IS-mus — the «th» is silent in most accents. Trap: do not confuse with «peninsula» (land almost surrounded by water) or «strait» (narrow strip of water).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «isthmus» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/isthmus/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«isthmus» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/isthmus.html) on Mova free.