mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander

ˈmān-ˌlan-dər 

-lən-

noun

Synonyms of mainland

• continent

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite medical aid given by tourists who stopped to help, a 16-year-old girl from the mainland and a 38-year-old man from Rosebery both died at the scene. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Set the scene Crossing the Rickenbacker Causeway from the Miami mainland, sapphire water flanks ribbons of highway on both sides. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026

With the spotlight on what’s arguably the mainland’s best surf break, now is the time to invest in the area’s safety, Long said. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

The mammals found in the Himalayas and mainland Southeast Asia into South China, are trafficked alive as exotic pets and their pelts are also sold illegally. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mainland

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander noun

Geographical Definition

Mainland

geographical name

Main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

1

honshu

2

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands

3

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands