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

• 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

Upon completing his oenology studies in his homeland, Pisano went abroad to learn first-hand the world of wine. —Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The theme of perseverance amid adversity was inspired by Ferrer’s 2020 trip to Venezuela and his dream of making a film about his homeland. —Michelle F. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

Although ethnically Somalian, her parents fled her homeland’s civil war in 1992 to Yemen, entrusting their lives to people smugglers on board a boat that ended up spending 16 days at sea with no food and water. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Aug. 2025

Thus, the region is part of the Saginaw Chippewa, or Ojibwe, people's ancestral homeland. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 July 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