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

Chris McGrath/Getty Images The unnamed hotel in the Fatih neighborhood near Istanbul's historic peninsula was evacuated on Saturday after two more guests were taken to the hospital with similar symptoms, Anadolu said. —CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

The show also considers Buddhism and its legacy on the Korean peninsula, as well as modern artists’ attempts to grapple with the Korean War and monumental changes happening in the country and globally. —Christy Choi, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022 and annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

North Country National Scenic Trail spans eight states, including more than 1,100 miles in Michigan through urban and rural areas in the upper and lower peninsulas. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 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