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

Recently updated, the home has a tray ceiling in the living room and a kitchen with navy cabinets, a striped wood peninsula, and a walk-in pantry or laundry room. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026

The latter, a rocky peninsula on France’s northwestern coast, is where the shoe magnate’s family is from. —Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

The tools were found in Greece's Megalopolis basin, a low-lying valley in southern Greece's Peloponnese peninsula. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026

This seemingly small step towards peace on the Korean peninsula unified the Korean team and symbolized much more. —Samuel Sanders, Time, 6 Feb. 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