peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -shə-lə 

: 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

pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lər 

-shə-lər

adjective

Synonyms

• cape
• point
• headland

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

The plot on Rolling Hills on the Palos Verdes peninsula was ideal for the architectural movement’s articulated statement of indoor-outdoor living, with the bonus of sunsets over the Pacific, and the Hollywood sign behind. —Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

To the north is Cedar Point, on its own peninsula jutting into Lake Erie in Sandusky. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025

Swells generated by the storm are expected to affect portions of the southwestern Mexico coast and the Baja California peninsula during the next few days, which could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 July 2025

Presidents made a habit of acting unilaterally — that is, without congressional approval — in places from the Korean peninsula to Libya. —Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peninsula

• insole
• insula

Kids Definition

peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -ˈnin-chə-lə 

: a piece of land nearly surrounded by water or sticking out into the water

peninsular

-s(ə-)lər 

-chə-lər

adjective

Etymology

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