Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Great Britain
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
British Isles terminology
The difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom
Quizzes
Island, New Caledonia.
Islands and Archipelagos
Union Jack, British flag, Flag of Great Britain, British Culture, British Empire, England, English Culture, English Flag
Know Your UK Geography Quiz
Read Next
Union Jack flag of Great Britain, united kingdom
What’s the Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?
The Wedding of Victoria I, Queen of England and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in London, England. Vintage etching circa mid 19th century. The wedding was on February 10th, 1840.
Why Have So Many World Leaders Married Their Cousins?
Discover
airplane in flight (plane, aircraft, flying)
7 Puzzling Plane Disappearances
pulmonary veins and arteries, circulation, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)
13 Questions About How the Human Body Works Answered
Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)
All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained
Cleopatra hieroglyphic carving the Ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Wall of the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt.
What Did Cleopatra Look Like?
Normandy Invasion: Omaha Beach. World War II. D-Day. Infographic. SPOTLIGHT VERSION
Facts and Figures About the Landings on Omaha Beach During the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944
illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum
Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs
Portion of the Aleppo Codex, a manuscript of the Hebrew Bible written in the Hebrew language in the 10th century CE; in the Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Why Do Languages Die?
British Isles terminology
British Isles terminology Map showing the terminology commonly used to describe the British Isles, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland. The terms used here are a mixture of geographic and political labels.

Great Britain

island, Europe
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: Britain
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Also called:
Britain
See all related content

News •

Kent music teacher picked for Great Britain in Underwater Hockey • June 11, 2025, 7:32 PM ET (BBC)
French Open 2025 results: Great Britain's Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski beaten in doubles final • June 8, 2025, 3:41 AM ET (BBC)
Diamond League : Great Britain's Amy Hunt second in 200m in Rome • June 6, 2025, 12:03 PM ET (BBC)
UK bans single-use vapes to stem use by children and reduce harmful litter • June 1, 2025, 10:32 AM ET (AP)
Lawyer says Tate brothers will return to UK to face rape and trafficking charges • May 29, 2025, 10:04 PM ET (AP)
The difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom
The difference between Great Britain and the United KingdomBritain. Great Britain. The United Kingdom. The British Isles.
See all videos for this article

Great Britain, island lying to the east of the island of Ireland and off the northwestern coast of Europe. It consists of England, Scotland, and Wales. Great Britain is part of the British Isles, together with the island of Ireland as well as smaller islands and island groups.

The term Great Britain, which this article uses as a geographic designation, is often used as a synonym for the United Kingdom, a political entity that includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales and that was once part of the British Empire.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.