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
Temporary Protected Status is a designation that can be granted by the Homeland Security secretary to people in the United States if conditions in their homelands are deemed unsafe for return due to a natural disaster, political instability or other dangerous conditions.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
Ingelsby infused both Mare and Task with flourishes from his east-Pennsylvania homeland, and the show reflects the grit and tenacity of individuals from the area.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Many of the examples are stark, like the Potawatomi Nation which had negotiated with the federal government in hopes of staying in their homelands in the upper Midwest.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Valverde turned 27 in July and is now in his eighth season with Madrid’s first team since joining from Penarol in his Uruguayan homeland for €5million as an 18-year-old in summer 2016.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homeland
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Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
Ingelsby infused both Mare and Task with flourishes from his east-Pennsylvania homeland, and the show reflects the grit and tenacity of individuals from the area.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Many of the examples are stark, like the Potawatomi Nation which had negotiated with the federal government in hopes of staying in their homelands in the upper Midwest.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Valverde turned 27 in July and is now in his eighth season with Madrid’s first team since joining from Penarol in his Uruguayan homeland for €5million as an 18-year-old in summer 2016.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
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