peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -shə-lə 

: a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus

also : a piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus

the Italian peninsula

peninsular

pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lər 

-shə-lər

adjective

Synonyms of peninsula

• cape
• point
• headland

Examples of peninsula in a Sentence

They built their house on a narrow peninsula.

the peninsula is constantly buffeted by storms

Recent Examples on the Web

Accommodations range from historic hotel units and cottages to multi-bedroom cabins and houses, and because the resort sits on a 1,000-acre peninsula and has more than two miles of lakeshore, water views are plentiful. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Indeed, the picturesque peninsula of Istria, located in northern Croatia, is the perfect blend of coast and countryside, where truffle hunts through the hills of Buzet and boat excursions along the Brijuni Islands are not to be missed. —Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

According to Courant reports, the skull was found by a pair of hunters on the Cove Meadow peninsula in Haddam Neck where the Connecticut and Salmon rivers join. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2026

Color survives mainly in parts of Donegal, the Connemara coast, and on the Dingle peninsula. —Big Think, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peninsula

• insole
• insula

Kids Definition

peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -ˈnin-chə-lə 

: a piece of land nearly surrounded by water or sticking out into the water

peninsular

-s(ə-)lər 

-chə-lər

adjective

Etymology

from Latin paeninsula "peninsula," from paene- "almost" and insula "island" — related to insulate, isle, isolate