a group of islands (Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides) off the W coast of and belonging to Scotland. About 2900 sq. mi. (7500 sq. km).
Also called Western Islands.
Related forms
Hebridean, Hebridian, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Hebrides
Hebrides
/ˈhɛbrɪˌdiːz/
plural noun
1.
the Hebrides, a group of over 500 islands off the W coast of Scotland: separated by the North Minch, Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides: the chief islands are Skye, Raasay, Rum, Eigg, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Jura, Colonsay, and Islay (Inner Hebrides), and Lewis with Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra (Outer Hebrides) Also known as the Western Isles
Word Origin and History for Hebrides
originally Ebudae, Haebudes, of uncertain origin. Apparently a scribal error turned -u- into -ri-. The Norse name, Suðregar, "Southern Islands," is relative to the Orkneys. Related: Hebridean.