homeland

noun

home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland How to pronounce homeland (audio)
also -lənd
plural homelands
Synonyms of homelandnext
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
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.
Those matches have brought hundreds of fans to the team’s famous yellow jerseys who want to watch the match while enjoying dishes from the homeland. Dylan Lysen june 23, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026 In the midst of turmoil and war between his two homelands, one young Iranian business owner living in Los Angeles is working to merge history with a cultural movement as more Iranian Americans find an appetite for learning more about their culture and history. Rudabeh Shahbazi, CBS News, 22 June 2026 The president-elect has lived and worked in Miami as a lawyer, giving him name recognition and credibility among many Colombians who have built lives in South Florida while remaining deeply invested in their homeland. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026 These deep strikes have rightly captured international attention, showcasing Ukraine’s ability to impose costs on Russia far beyond the battlefield and forcing the Kremlin to divert resources toward homeland defense. Hunter Lacroix, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for homeland

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

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Cite this Entry

“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

homeland

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

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