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

With moisture moving in from the Atlantic coast, national weather service Meteo France forecast light rain in the town of Lege-Cap Ferret, on a peninsula that's been a leading edge of the devastated region. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

The quick, decisive defeat marked Rome’s final domination of the peninsula and solidified their influence over regional trade and military routes. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Cannes’ Plage de la Croisette scored a 100; Pampelonne on the Saint-Tropez peninsula came in second with a tally of 86; Corsica’s Plage de Palombaggia held tenth place with 54 points. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Best Things to Do Explore Albany Bulb, a park set on a little peninsula that juts into San Francisco Bay. — Barbara Noe Kennedy, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 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