Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • The world's smallest continent, southeast of Asia between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
  • A commonwealth comprising the continent of Australia, the island state of Tasmania, and several island territories and dependencies. The continent was inhabited by Aboriginal peoples for at least 40,000 years before the first British settlement, a penal colony at Port Jackson (now part of Sydney), was established in 1788. The present-day states grew as separate colonies; six of them formed a federation in 1901. In 1911 Northern Territory joined the commonwealth and the Capital Territory, site of Canberra, was created. Canberra is the capital and Sydney is the largest city.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun A country in Oceania. Official name: Commonwealth of Australia.
  • proper noun geology The continent of Australia-New Guinea. New Guinea and the intervening islands are also on the Australian tectonic plate and are thus geologically considered part of the continent.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a nation occupying the whole of the Australian continent; Aboriginal tribes are thought to have migrated from southeastern Asia 20,000 years ago; first Europeans were British convicts sent there as a penal colony
  • noun the smallest continent; between the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

First attested 16th century, from Latin terra austrālis incōgnita ("unknown southern land"), from auster ("the south wind"). Used also in 1693 (quotation below). Popularised by Matthew Flinders in 1814 (quotation below).

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Examples

  • SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI dedicates a new altar and celebrates Holy Mass with Australian bishops, seminarians and male and female novices in St Mary's Cathedral as part of the events for World Youth Day on July 19, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

    Archive 2008-07-20 papabear 2008

  • The connection b/w 'teach for australia' and 'teach for america': I found this job opportunity - Country Relations Manager, Australia on the Teach for America site but don't know whether it is still current - it might give you a lead in

    teach for australia Bill Kerr 2008

  • MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 19: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a forehand in her first round match against Shenay Perry of the United States of America during day two of the 2010 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed 2010

  • Pakistan beat Australia by 23 runs •Australia lost 10th wicket in 19th over -- 10-144 (Tait, 18.4 ov)

    WN.com - Photown News 2010

  • If you are concerned about friends or relatives in Haiti * call DFAT on 1300 555 135 within Australia (local call cost) or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia*.

    Latest News - Yahoo!7 News 2010

  • Pakistan beat Australia by 23 runs •Australia lost 10th wicket in 19th over -- 10-144 (Tait, 18.4 ov)

    WN.com - Photown News 2010

  • January 30th, 2010 AUSTRALIA (GaeaTimes. com) - Australia managed to win the ICC Under-19 World

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 2010

  • Pakistan beat Australia by 23 runs •Australia lost 10th wicket in 19th over -- 10-144 (Tait, 18.4 ov)

    WN.com - Articles related to Pakistan must not be allowed to promote export of terror, says David Cameron 2010

  • If you are concerned about friends or relatives in Haiti * call DFAT on 1300 555 135 within Australia (local call cost) or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia*.

    Latest News - Yahoo!7 News 2010

  • AUSTRALIA Day celebrations to bring the community together will be held in Williamstown and Altona on the Australia Day long weekend.

    Star News Group 2009

Comments

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  • A country in Oceania, often considered a continent in it's own right.

    June 28, 2009