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 of homeland

• home
• country

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

Roughly 97 percent of staff are from surrounding community conservancies, creating a working model of local investment in supporting companies that protect their homeland. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Defending the homeland against evolving threats requires more than a single system or solution. — Paid Content By Lockheed Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Their construction has surged under Netanyahu's government, which views the West Bank as the Jewish homeland and opposes a Palestinian state. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026

The setting for this multi-generational frolic is a gorgeous Greek island that is nothing like ABBA’s homeland of Sweden. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

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