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

This effort benefits the entire peninsula and reinforces the strength of our alliance. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Guests often combine their procedure with short sightseeing, a visit to the historic peninsula, or a walk along the Bosphorus. —Wyles Daniel, Freep.com, 25 Nov. 2025

The distillery’s latest release is another success, a new cask-strength single malt that uses peat from the Orkney peninsula where it is located to infuse the spirit with a very specific type of smokiness. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025

Back in 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025

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