name
alcatraz
Alcatraz (name) means an island in San Francisco Bay California, United States, formerly the site of a famous prison; in full, Alcatraz Island.
name
1
An island in San Francisco Bay California, United States, formerly the site of a famous prison; in full, Alcatraz Island.
2
A shortened form of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, a well-known former U.S. federal prison situated on the island.
"Alcatraz was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986."
— Samantha Waldenberg, Trump says he is directing Bureau of Prisons to reopen Alcatraz to house ‘ruthless and violent offenders’ (2025)
3
A shortened form of Fort Alcatraz, a US coastal defence fort that preceded the prison.
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Etymology
Comes from Spanish Isla de los Alcatraces (“island of gannets”), a name given by Juan Manuel de Ayala, an explorer of San Francisco Bay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of alcatraz?
"alcatraz" (name) means an island in San Francisco Bay California, United States, formerly the site of a famous prison; in full, Alcatraz Island.
What are the different meanings of alcatraz?
"alcatraz" has 3 main meanings: 1. An island in San Francisco Bay California, United States, formerly the site of a famous prison; in full, Alcatraz Island; 2. A shortened form of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, a well-known former U.S. federal prison situated on the island; 3. A shortened form of Fort Alcatraz, a US coastal defence fort that preceded the prison.
