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

The furnished two-bedroom log cabin of white oak was recently renovated with modern interiors and amenities, including an open-plan main room with a gas fireplace and a kitchen with a French-door stainless fridge and eat-in peninsula. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 Apr. 2026

In the ’90s, the peninsula was taken over by a string of summer-only nightclubs, with little regard for the natural surroundings or the ancient cemetery buried in the pine forest. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026

The boat crew took the veterinarian across the creek to a small peninsula where the horse was standing, the district said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026

The options to get out in nature are endless, from boat trips to see the puffin colony on neighboring Isle of Canna to e-bike rides around the hilly peninsula to fishing excursions for brown trout and salmon. —Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 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