land

play

noun, often attributive \ˈland\

Definition of land

1a : the solid part of the surface of the earth; also : a corresponding part of a celestial body (such as the moon)b : ground or soil of a specified situation, nature, or quality dry landc : the surface of the earth and all its natural resources
2 : a portion of the earth's solid surface distinguishable by boundaries or ownership bought land in the country: such asa : country the finest cheese in all the landb : a rural area characterized by farming or ranching; also : farming or ranching as a way of life wanted to move back to the land
3 : realm, domain in the land of dreams —sometimes used in combination TV-land
4 : the people of a country the land rose in rebellion
5 : an area of a partly machined surface (such as the inside of a gun barrel) that is left without machining

landless

play \ˈland-ləs\ adjective

landlessness

play \ˈland-ləs-nəs\ noun

See land defined for English-language learners

See land defined for kids

Examples of land in a Sentence

the land along the highway
The land stretched as far as you could see.
They cleared some land to grow crops.
After two days of sailing, we were miles from land.
They invaded the country by land and by sea.
They own land in Alaska.
They bought some land and built a house.
His lands extend as far as the eye can see.
He was the most powerful politician in the land.
the lands of the Far East

Origin and Etymology of land

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lant land, Middle Irish lann

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

land

verb

Definition of land

transitive verb
1 : to set or put on shore from a ship : disembark
2a : to set down after conveyingb : to cause to reach or come to rest in a particular place never landed a punchc : to bring to a specified condition his wit landed him in troubled : to bring to a landing land an airplanee : to complete successfully by landing the skater landed all her jumps
3a : to catch and bring in land a fishb : gain, secure land a job landed the leading role
intransitive verb
1a : to go ashore from a ship : disembarkb of a ship or boat : to touch at a place on shore
2a : to come to the end of a course or to a stage in a journey : arrive took a wrong turn and landed on a dead-end streetb : to come to be in a condition or situation landed in jailc : to strike or meet a surface (as after a fall) landed on my headd : to alight on a surface

See land defined for English-language learners

Examples of land in a Sentence

The plane landed on the runway.
We watched the seaplanes landing on the water.
The bird landed in a tree.
A butterfly landed on the flower.
Our flight was scheduled to land in Pittsburgh at 4:00.
It was raining heavily at the airport when we landed.
The pilot was able to land the plane on the runway.
The golf ball landed in the trees.
I could not see where the ball landed.
The cat fell from the tree but landed on its feet.

13th Century

First Known Use of land

13th century

Land

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biographical name \ˈland\

Definition of Land

Edwin Herbert 1909–1991 American inventor and industrialist

LAND Defined for English Language Learners

land

play

noun

Definition of land for English Language Learners

: the solid part of the surface of the Earth : an area of ground
: an area of the earth's solid surface that is owned by someone
: a country or nation

land

verb

Definition of land for English Language Learners

: to return to the ground or another surface after a flight
: to cause (an airplane, helicopter, etc.) to return to the ground or another surface after a flight
: to hit or come to a surface after falling or moving through the air

LAND Defined for Kids

land

play

noun \ˈland\

Definition of land for Students

1 : the solid part of the surface of the earth
2 : an area of ground or soil of a particular kind fertile land
3 : a part of the earth's surface marked off by boundaries They bought some land.
4 : a country or nation your native land
5 : the people of a country All the land rose in rebellion.

landless

\-ləs\ adjective

land

play

verb

Definition of land for Students

landed

;

landing

1 : to go ashore or cause to go ashore from a ship The troops landed on the island.
2 : to come down or bring down and settle on a surface The airplane landed.
3 : to hit or come to a surface I fell and landed on my back.
4 : to be or cause to be in a particular place or condition He landed in jail.
5 : to catch and bring in land a fish
6 : to succeed in getting land a job

Headscratcher for land

Airplanes usually land on land. But some planes can come to rest on water. When this happens, it is still called a landing.

Law Dictionary

land

noun

Legal Definition of land

1 : an area of the earth usually inclusive of improvements, bodies of water, and natural or man-made objects and extending indefinitely upward and downward — compare air right
2 : an estate, interest, or right in land land means both surface and mineral rights — California Public Resources Code