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
High-tech innovation out of the mainland is central to the revival.
—
J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
At the end of the 19th century, the United States took the island by force and set up its own lucrative sugar colony, with mainland corporations controlling a significant share of production and reaping massive profits.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
On the home front, several generations have grown up on an American mainland without malaria, yellow fever, or typhoid fever; diseases like dysentery are medical rarities.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Montage Technology is also listed on the mainland, with a market capitalization of around $27 billion, according to LSEG data.
—Lee Ying Shan,dylan Butts, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainland
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J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
At the end of the 19th century, the United States took the island by force and set up its own lucrative sugar colony, with mainland corporations controlling a significant share of production and reaping massive profits.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
On the home front, several generations have grown up on an American mainland without malaria, yellow fever, or typhoid fever; diseases like dysentery are medical rarities.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Montage Technology is also listed on the mainland, with a market capitalization of around $27 billion, according to LSEG data.
—Lee Ying Shan,dylan Butts, CNBC, 9 Feb. 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 10 Feb. 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
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