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
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
The Yankees’ utilityman, born in the Venezuelan city of Guarenas, said his mom was responsible for filming the gathering, especially the Cabreras’ reaction to the final out of a 3-2 win for his homeland.
—
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Kantemir Balagov’s Butterfly Jam Kantemir Balagov’s English-language debut marks a bold pivot for the Russian auteur, who left his homeland following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, pledging never to return so long as Putin remains in power.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Bovino commenting March 5 on Trump firing Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The convoy to Havana While many Cubans are barred from returning to their homeland, the Nuestra América convoy will set out from Mexico headed for Cuba.
—Sarah Moreno
march 16, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for homeland
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Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Kantemir Balagov’s Butterfly Jam Kantemir Balagov’s English-language debut marks a bold pivot for the Russian auteur, who left his homeland following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, pledging never to return so long as Putin remains in power.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Bovino commenting March 5 on Trump firing Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The convoy to Havana While many Cubans are barred from returning to their homeland, the Nuestra América convoy will set out from Mexico headed for Cuba.
—Sarah Moreno
march 16, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
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