homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland 
also -lənd
plural homelands
1
: the native land or country of one's parents, one's ancestors, or oneself
our ancestral homeland
hadn't seen their homeland since they were children
2
: a state or area designated as a state for a people of a particular national, cultural, or racial origin
They are fighting for an independent homeland.
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security [=a department in the U.S. government that is responsible for the safety of the U.S. and its citizens]
specifically, in South African history
: any of several all-Black enclaves that had a limited degree of self-government : bantustan
Examples of homeland in a Sentence
He returned to his homeland for the first time in many years.
The rebels are fighting for an independent homeland.
Recent Examples on the Web
Two senior homeland security officials told CBS News that Plankey remains the nominee for CISA director, despite his abrupt removal as senior DHS adviser.
—
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Governor Healey and her public safety and homeland security team need to take important steps now to prevent a terrorist attack and communicate to the public what these preventative steps are.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Rose is a young Métis girl living on the Saskatchewan prairie where her family has made their home for generations, but in 1885, Rose learns that the Métis may be forced from their homeland by the Canadian government.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Chagossian citizens of Britain are threatening their own lawsuit, arguing they are being robbed of their homeland.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for homeland
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Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Governor Healey and her public safety and homeland security team need to take important steps now to prevent a terrorist attack and communicate to the public what these preventative steps are.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Rose is a young Métis girl living on the Saskatchewan prairie where her family has made their home for generations, but in 1885, Rose learns that the Métis may be forced from their homeland by the Canadian government.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Chagossian citizens of Britain are threatening their own lawsuit, arguing they are being robbed of their homeland.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
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