highland

1 of 2

noun

high·​land ˈhī-lənd 

: elevated or mountainous land

highland

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to a highland

2

Highland : of or relating to the Highlands of Scotland

Synonyms of highland

Noun

• hill
• mound
• upland
• mountain

Examples of highland in a Sentence

Noun

there are permanent glaciers in the cool, humid highlands of the Pacific Northwest

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Beauchamp tripping back in time, lost and separated in the highlands of 18th century Scotland. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026

Drive the Ruta de las Flores, a winding route through coffee-growing highlands, murals, waterfalls, and small towns. — Angelika Pokovba, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026

Adjective

Maybe their bloodline spirits crossed, perhaps hundreds of years ago across a highland moor, their prey the red grouse. — Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Mar. 2020

Under four miles, the easy trail rings a highland lake that reflects the steep and treeless mountains surrounding it. — Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for highland

• dryland

Kids Definition

highland

1 of 2 noun

high·​land ˈhī-lənd 

: elevated or mountainous land

highland

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to a highland

2

capitalized : of or relating to the Highlands of Scotland

Geographical Definition

Highland

geographical name

High·​land ˈhī-lənd 

1

city in southeastern California east of San Bernardino population 53,104

2

town in northwestern Indiana south of Hammond population 23,727

3

administrative area of northern Scotland bordering the North Sea and the Atlantic area 9806 square miles (25,398 square kilometers), population 232,132