mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander

ˈmān-ˌlan-dər 

-lən-

noun

Synonyms of mainland

• continent

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days

Recent Examples on the Web

Don your hiking boots and prepare yourself to roam perhaps the most untamed piece of mainland France. —Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026

Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture. —Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026

This flag resists erasure and reclaims a history rarely taught on the mainland. —Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

Puerto Ricans enlist at a much higher rate than mainland Americans. —Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mainland

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander noun

Geographical Definition

Mainland

geographical name

Main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

1

honshu

2

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands

3

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands