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

• arm
• cape
• foreland
• headland
• ness
• point
• promontory
• spit

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

Kyiv refuses to acknowledge Russian sovereignty over the peninsula, reportedly part of a draft peace plan from the U.S., though Trump denied this. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

The Russian attacks hit after Trump and Zelensky became involved in a new public spat, specifically over the future of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. —Todd Symons, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025

In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for refusing to recognize the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, as part of Russia. —Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025

Spring arrived late in the northern part of the peninsula and there wasn’t a significant change in the arrival of spring in the southern part of the peninsula. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 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