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

With Play, Sheeran will hope to extend his perfect streak in his homeland and Australia, where all of his studio albums have topped the national charts, including his most recent effort, 2023’s Autumn Variations. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025

Continue reading … STRIKING BACK – Hegseth makes homeland security top mission in first interview as secretary of war. —FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Strengthening federal partnerships with state and local homeland security and law enforcement agencies is also vital. —Andrew Garbarino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

After a blast of discordantly jaunty music, the film opens with Sandy’s voice dictating a letter to his estranged brother Donal (Cumming), encouraging him to return to his homeland. —Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 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