homeland

noun

home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland How to pronounce homeland (audio)
 also  -lənd
1
: native land : fatherland
2
: a state or area set aside to be a state for a people of a particular national, cultural, or racial origin
especially : bantustan

Example Sentences

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 While Sadaf’s future seems a lot brighter, she remains saddened by her sister’s plight and that of other women in her homeland. Julianne Mcshane, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2023 Fleck still marvels at how the percussion giant was greeted by fans in his homeland. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2023 In many respects, Kim-boy and his friends and family have been made foreigners in their own homeland. David James, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Mar. 2023 In my homeland, the entirety of Belarus is in a prison. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023 All of this fuels Gashaw’s pride in her Ethiopian homeland. Dallas News, 28 Feb. 2023 Those rejections, however, marked a turning point for the young director, who was approached by her mentor Sokurov about making a first feature — and to do it, no less, in her homeland of Chechnya. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 20 Feb. 2023 The group disbanded in 2003, with Stevens going on to enjoy a high-profile pop career in her homeland, bagging five top 10 singles, including No. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2023 Despite the dangers, Biden and his inner circle had decided that the powerful image of Biden embracing Zelensky in the Ukrainian homeland was worth it. Matt Viser And Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Anchorage Daily News, 21 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homeland.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeland was circa 1627

Dictionary Entries Near homeland

Cite this Entry

“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

homeland

noun
home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland How to pronounce homeland (audio)
: native land : fatherland

More from Merriam-Webster on homeland

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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