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

For example, to understand how Andean cosmology shapes the night sky, how ranching traditions persist in remote Patagonian valleys, or why the culture of Chiloé feels distinct from the mainland. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

The puzzles didn’t stretch wide enough to show its location in the Pacific Ocean, closer to New Zealand than the mainland United States. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026

And the hassle of waiting way too long at the bridge, trying to get back and forth from the mainland to the barrier island. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026

Kharg Island is off the coast of the Iranian mainland and deep in the Persian Gulf. —Skylar Woodhouse, Fortune, 14 Mar. 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