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 project was particularly personal for IGC’s Dan and Terence Tubridy, whose family has deep, multigenerational ties to the peninsula. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Beyond the architecture, the Costa Rican government mandates that 70 percent of the peninsula’s dry tropical forest remains protected—paradise will not be paved. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026

The Pentagon has kept its THAAD missile-defense batteries on the Korean peninsula. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 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