mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-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

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The eclipse will rise over mainland Antarctica and set off the Davis Sea coast of the Southern Ocean. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025 Tens of millions of people could be impacted by the storm, which is expected to pass over parts of the Asian island nation before heading toward the major cities of Hong Kong and Macau, and mainland China’s Guangdong Province. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025 We are connected to the Spanish mainland via two bridges and a natural isthmus, which has been in use since Roman times. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025 The northern shore is an agrarian Eden clogged with the rental cars of honeymooners, mainland families and other tourists on an Instagram spree. Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mainland

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainland was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainland. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

mainland

noun
main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-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 How to pronounce Mainland (audio)
-lənd
1
2
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands
3
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands

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