is

IPA/ɪz/
KK[ˈɪz]IPA/ˈɪz/

is — abbreviation

1. a short written form of the word 'island' or 'isle', used in addresses, on maps,

1.abbreviationB1
Definition

a short written form of the word 'island' or 'isle', used in addresses, on maps, or as part of place names to save space

Example

The map legend showed 'IS' for island and 'MT' for mountain in bold type.

maps/labels: IS stands for island

Send it to PO Box 209, Victoria, Vancouver IS, Canada.

IS in a postal address with place name

Common collocations
  • Easter IS
  • Cook IS
  • Christmas IS
  • Norfolk IS
  • Prince Edward IS
  • Rhode IS
  • IS in place names
  • IS abbreviation on maps
Synonyms
  • I.

    an older or more compact abbreviation for island, used mainly on very small maps or in academic notes

  • Isl.

    another abbreviation for island, sometimes seen in addresses and travel documents

Grammar Patterns

IS + place name (e.g. Easter IS, Cook IS)

Usage Note

IS is written in capital letters and usually followed by a place name. It is most common on maps, in postal addresses, and in geographical lists. In full sentences and formal writing, the complete word 'island' or 'isle' is preferred.

Common Mistakes

They went to a small IS in the Caribbean.
They went to a small island in the Caribbean.
Use the full word 'island' in ordinary sentences; IS is only for addresses, maps, and labels.
Vancouver IS, Canada
Vancouver Island, Canada
In most formal writing, the full word 'Island' is used rather than the abbreviation IS.

2. a short written form of 'information system' — a computer system that a company,

2.abbreviationB2
Definition

a short written form of 'information system' — a computer system that a company, school, or other organisation uses to store, organise, and manage its data

Example

The hospital's IS stores all patient records and medication schedules for the staff to access.

IS manages data in an organisation

Kwame works in the IS department, making sure the company's internal software runs without problems.

noun modifier: IS department

Common collocations
  • IS department
  • IS manager
  • IS specialist
  • company IS
  • hospital IS
  • school IS
  • IS stores data
  • IS manages records
  • reliable IS
  • internal IS
Synonyms
  • computer system

    a broader, non-technical term for any system that runs on computers

  • IT system

    very close in meaning; IT (information technology) focuses on the hardware and software, while IS emphasises the data and how it is used

Grammar Patterns

IS + noun (e.g. IS department, IS manager)

Usage Note

IS is written in capital letters and is used mainly in business, technology, and academic writing. In job titles and department names, the full form 'information system' or 'information systems' is more common in formal contexts such as official documents and résumés.

Common Mistakes

I am studying IS at university.
I am studying Information Systems at university.
Use the full form 'Information Systems' for academic programmes and degree names.
The IS password was stolen.
The information system password was stolen.
In security contexts, the full form avoids confusion with other IS abbreviations.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

IS is the most common modern abbreviation for 'island' or 'isle', used widely on maps, in addresses, and in geographical lists. I. (with a period) is an older, more compact abbreviation found on very small maps or in academic footnotes where space is extremely tight. Isl. is another variant seen occasionally in travel documents and some postal addresses. All three serve the same function, but IS is by far the most recognisable to general readers. For example, on a modern road map you are likely to see 'Rhode IS', while a 19th-century atlas might label the same location 'Rhode I.' and a shipping manifest could write 'Rhode Isl.'

IS ↗I.Isl. ↗

Etymology

English

The abbreviation IS for 'island; isle' comes from the conventional shortening of the English word 'island', which itself traces back through Old English īgland (water-land) to Proto-Germanic *awjōlandą. The use of the first two letters as a standard abbreviation follows a common English pattern (cf. MT for mountain, RD for road). The abbreviation IS for 'information system' emerged in the late 20th century alongside the growth of computer technology and business computing, formed from the initial letters of 'information' and 'system'.