peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio) -shə-lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
: a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus
also : a piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus
the Italian peninsula
peninsular adjective

Examples of peninsula in a Sentence

They built their house on a narrow peninsula. the peninsula is constantly buffeted by storms
Recent Examples on the Web Towns to Visit Sirmione A small peninsula jutting into the lake, Sirmione is known as one of the lake’s most charming towns. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2024 It was announced Thursday evening, about 24 hours after more than three million residents and businesses lost power across a wide portion of the Florida peninsula, the game would be played at Camping World Stadium on Saturday at 3:30. Tom Layberger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Satellite images illustrate the scope of the damage in coastal communities along the western part of the Florida peninsula, near the Sarasota barrier island of Siesta Key where Milton made landfall Wednesday, Oct. 9, as a powerful Category 3 hurricane. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024 Still, the Joseon era would continue for another 300 years, until Japan occupied the peninsula in 1910. Kayti Burt, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peninsula 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peninsula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peninsula was circa 1552

Dictionary Entries Near peninsula

Cite this Entry

“Peninsula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peninsula. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

peninsula

noun
pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio) -ˈnin-chə-lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
: a piece of land nearly surrounded by water or sticking out into the water
peninsular
-s(ə-)lər How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
-chə-lər
adjective
Etymology

from Latin paeninsula "peninsula," from paene- "almost" and insula "island" — related to insulate, isle, isolate

More from Merriam-Webster on peninsula

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