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 of peninsula

• 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

In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 May 2026

The body of water there is known as the Yellow Sea or West Sea and separates the Korean peninsula and China. —CBS News, 26 May 2026

Nestled along the coast of Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit, a 1,500-acre luxury resort along the peninsula of Mexico’s Pacific coast – Casa Koko immediately sets the tone for a slower, more intentional kind of travel. —Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

To holiday like Dua, head to the Ionian coast to one of Southern Albania’s gems, like the private peninsula of Kep Merli, beside the UNESCO World Heritage Site Butrint. —Chloe Laws, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 May 2026

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