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mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-lənd
Synonyms of mainlandnext
: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula
mainlander noun

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The District Six Museum, on the mainland, is another great place to gain a better understanding of racial segregation in South Africa. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025 Faulty fire alarms and foam panels under investigation The apartment complex of eight, 31-story buildings in Tai Po, a suburb near Hong Kong's border with mainland China, was built in the 1980s. CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025 The apartment complex of eight, 31-story buildings in Tai Po district, a suburb near Hong Kong's border with mainland China, was built in the 1980s and had been undergoing a major renovation. David Rising, Arkansas Online, 29 Nov. 2025 Connecting the barrier island of Longboat Key to Sarasota and Florida’s mainland, the drawbridge serves as a portal into another world. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mainland

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainland was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainland. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

mainland

noun
main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-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 How to pronounce Mainland (audio)
-lənd
1
2
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands
3
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands

More from Merriam-Webster on mainland

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