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

And although there are several great places to explore the reef along Belize’s coast, the island of Ambergris Caye—a 90-minute water taxi ride or a quick 20-minute puddle-jumper flight from Belize City on the mainland—is one of the best places to base yourself. —Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026

While most are in mainland China, there are also clinics in Europe, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. —Julia Fioretti, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

His wife’s mother was born on Anglesey, and her father on the mainland. —Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026

Soon after, Meta said that Manus would cut its ties with mainland China. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 9 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