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

Japan and South Korea, two countries with plenty of baggage due to Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean peninsula in the early 20th century, jointly organized the 2002 World Cup. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026

The other’s a Philippine peninsula that fronts Manila Bay, with a mountainous spine dividing dense jungle. —Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

As part of a program aimed at restoring the Korean wolf — a species no longer found in the wild on the peninsula — his brief taste of freedom raised questions about survival, conservation and life beyond captivity. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

One of my best public-land spots is a hardwood peninsula that juts out into a big cattail marsh. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 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