peninsula

pen·in·su·la

noun \pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə, -shə-lə\

Definition of PENINSULA

: 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

— pen·in·su·lar \-s(ə-)lər, -shə-lər\ adjective

Examples of PENINSULA

1. They built their house on a narrow peninsula.
2. <the peninsula is constantly buffeted by storms>

Origin of PENINSULA

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use: 1538

Related to PENINSULA

Synonyms: arm, foreland, headland, ness, ²cape, point, promontory, spit

Related Words: breakwater, jetty

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Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale