1. plural of isthmus; narrow strips of land connecting two larger land areas and surrounded by water on two sides

Examples

• The Panama and Suez isthmuses are among the world’s most famous.
• Ancient civilizations often built cities on isthmuses for strategic advantages.
• These narrow isthmuses control access between the two seas.
• Engineers studied several isthmuses before choosing the canal location.
• The isthmuses provided natural barriers against invasion.
• Trade routes frequently crossed these important isthmuses.