n.
Pronunciation: h ə - ' wä-y ē , - ' wä- ˌ ē also - ' vä- or - ' wo ̇ -; sometimes -y ə
Function: geographical name
1 or Ha · wai · ian Islands \ -y ə n \ or formerly Sand · wich Islands \ ' sand- ˌ wich \ group of islands cen Pacific belonging to U.S.
2 island SE Hawaii, largest of the group; chief city Hilo area 4021 sq mi (10,455 sq km )
3 state of the U.S. comprising Hawaiian Islands except Midway Islands; annexed 1898, a territory 1900-59 capital Honolulu area 6471 sq mi (16,760 sq km ), pop 1,211,537