an island in the Caribbean Sea that is part of the West Indies . It has been an independent country and a member of the Commonwealth since 1962. Its capital city is Kingston and its official language is English. It is popular with tourists. Rastafarianism and reggae music have their origins in Jamaica. After World War II Jamaican people were encouraged by the British government to come to Britain to work, and Britain has a large Jamaican community.
► Jamaican adj , n .