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

Now a state park, the first fort on this peninsula was established in the 1630s. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026

But even as residents of Long Beach’s peninsula are starting to see some relief, beach communities up and down the California coast are struggling to cope with this week’s massive high tides. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

On the peninsula, the dredge continues to pump out sand from the channel onto the beach. — Alys Martinez, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

The annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-mile run takes roughly 20,000 participants around the peninsula for that very reason. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Oct. 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