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

Born in London to Hungarian refugees who fled their homeland during the 1956 revolution, Hilton grew up in a household without much money. —National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

In its place was the flag of Pakistan, a green banner with a crescent and star symbolizing its founding as a Muslim homeland. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026

His departure was announced amid a reorganization of leadership at the DHS under Mullin, the second homeland security secretary. —Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

Zionism is the national movement of the Jewish people, the belief that the Jewish people, like any other people, have the right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland. —Elad Strohmayer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 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