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
Examples of mainland in a Sentence
the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days
Recent Examples on the Web
Boasting 21 picturesque islands rising up out of Lake Superior, a gorgeous 12-mile shoreline on the mainland, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park Service, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a gem on the Bayfield Peninsula of northern Wisconsin.
—
Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 14 June 2026
The rules extend Beijing’s reach to deals in markets beyond mainland China, including Taiwan, and give it the power to punish foreign firms whose home countries restrict Chinese investment.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 June 2026
In the Canary Islands and in remarks on the Spanish mainland, Leo has reaffirmed the right of migrants to flee but also to stay home, demanding their countries of origin provide the necessary economic and security conditions.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Five of the dead were from mainland China and two from Hong Kong.
—CNN Money, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainland
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 14 June 2026
The rules extend Beijing’s reach to deals in markets beyond mainland China, including Taiwan, and give it the power to punish foreign firms whose home countries restrict Chinese investment.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 June 2026
In the Canary Islands and in remarks on the Spanish mainland, Leo has reaffirmed the right of migrants to flee but also to stay home, demanding their countries of origin provide the necessary economic and security conditions.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Five of the dead were from mainland China and two from Hong Kong.
—CNN Money, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainland
Cite this Entry
“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainland. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
2
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands
3
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
