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

After the government decided to relocate the Potawatomi people from their native homeland in the Midwest, Hoogstraten said 1,200 acres along Lake Michigan north of Chicago was offered in exchange for resettlement and American citizenship. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Trump selected Stephen Miller to replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff after Miller served as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026

In Argentina, Leo will visit Buenos Aires, Luján and Córdoba before heading to Peru, his second homeland and the final destination of his tour. — Isabel Debre, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

Miller, who has been serving as both the President’s homeland-security adviser and policy chief, has directed many of the government’s most radical acts. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 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