headland

noun

head·​land ˈhed-lənd How to pronounce headland (audio)
-ˌland
1
: unplowed land at the ends of furrows or near a fence
2
: a point of usually high land jutting out into a body of water : promontory

Examples of headland in a Sentence

the lighthouse, situated on a narrow, rocky headland, commands an expansive view of the coast navigation is notoriously difficult at the southernmost tip of South America, where ships must round the headland of Cape Horn
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.
One of them pointed me to a path that led over the headland to Karthea, one of the island’s ancient city-states. Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2025 The eastern trade winds blow ceaselessly, driving steep swells that explode onto lava-rock headlands. Peter Heller, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2024 Case in point: sea stacks, the remnants of headlands that have eroded over time. Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025 The proposal includes the creation of two artificial headlands or small promontories extending out on the beach to hold the sand in place. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headland

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headland was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Headland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headland. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

headland

noun
head·​land ˈhed-lənd How to pronounce headland (audio)
-ˌland
: a point of land sticking out into the sea : promontory

More from Merriam-Webster on headland

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