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

Synonyms

• country
• fatherland
• home
• mother country
• motherland
• sod

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

In the last three years the pair have sold over 50 one-euro homes, mostly to foreigners, including North Europeans and Ukrainians fleeing the war in their homeland. —Silvia Marchetti, CNN Money, 18 May 2025

The tour already circled South America since February and the North Carolina opener was the first time Shakira, 48, hit the stage since a mid-April show in her Colombian homeland. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2025

The opening ceremonies will be held Saturday at 1 p.m., featuring a parade of delegations in costumes from their homelands. —Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Meanwhile, something similar was happening in Ōshima’s homeland. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homeland

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

homeland

noun

home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland 

: native land : fatherland