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

Authorities have reached agreements with other countries to house immigrants if authorities can’t quickly send them back to their homelands. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 4 July 2025

Others sought to escape economic hardships or oppression in their homelands. —Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 3 July 2025

Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor, launched a scathing attack on a federal judge's ruling Wednesday that President Donald Trump's suspension of asylum access at the southwest border was unlawful. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Cornyn could not attend the rally because of a Saturday vote to confirm South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 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