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

As such, these industries are booming with more mines starting or expanding operations each month in mainland Southeast Asia, the researchers said. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

The stones stand between two lochs on the largest of the Orkney Islands, off the northeastern tip of mainland Scotland. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

Up 500 feet above street level, Alexandre leaned over the condo’s balcony, taking in the view of the mainland to the west. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025

No, most of Mackinac Island's horses have been taken to the mainland for the winter season and will start to return in mid-March 2026. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 21 Nov. 2025

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