plural lands
1
: the solid part of the surface of the Earth : an area of ground
arid/fertile/flat land
the land along the highway
The land stretched as far as you could see.
They cleared some land to grow crops.
After two days of sailing, we were miles from land.
They invaded the country by land and by sea.
—often used before another nounland animals [=animals that live on land]
a total land area of two miles
a land battle/war [=a battle/war fought on the ground rather than at sea or in the air]
2
: an area of the earth's solid surface that is owned by someone
They own land in Alaska.
They bought some land and built a house.
a piece/plot of land
His lands extend as far as the eye can see.
—often used before another nounland development/ownership/prices
3
: a country or nation
He was the most powerful politician in the land.
foreign lands
the lands of/in the Far East
He always remained loyal to his native land. [=the country in which he was born]
America, the land of opportunity
—sometimes used figurativelyin the land [=realm] of dreams
a land of illusion
4
: land in the countryside that is thought of as providing a simple and good way of living
He wanted to move/get back to the land.
people who are living off the land [=getting food by farming, hunting, etc.]
farmers working the land [=planting and growing crops]
lands; landed; landing
1
a
: to return to the ground or another surface after a flight
The plane landed on the runway.
We watched the seaplanes landing on the water.
The bird landed in a tree.
A butterfly landed on the flower.
Our flight was scheduled to land in Pittsburgh at 4:00.
It was raining heavily at the airport when we landed.
The plane landed safely.
b
: to cause (an airplane, helicopter, etc.) to return to the ground or another surface after a flight
The pilot was able to land the plane on the runway.
2
a
: to hit or come to a surface after falling or moving through the air
I fell and landed on my shoulder. [=my shoulder hit the ground when I fell]
He tripped and his plate landed on the floor. [=his plate fell to the floor]
The golf ball landed in the trees.
I could not see where the ball landed.
The cat fell from the tree but landed on its feet.
—sometimes used figurativelyHe lost his job but landed on his feet [=ended up in a good situation] when he was hired by another company just a few days later.
b
sports
: to complete (a jump or other athletic movement) by landing on your feet
The skater landed all her jumps.
He landed his dismount from the parallel bars perfectly.
3
a
: to cause (someone) to be in a specified place or situation
The injury landed her in the hospital.
His carelessness is going to land him in trouble.
b
: to reach or come to a place or situation that was not planned or expected
He landed (up) in jail. [=he ended up in jail]
She took the wrong subway and landed on the other side of town.
The team landed in first place.
Another memo from the boss landed on my desk [=came to my desk] today.
4
: to succeed in getting (something)
He landed the job.
The salesman landed the order.
She landed the lead part in the play.
5
a
: to put (someone or something) onto the shore from a ship or boat
The boat landed him close to the beach.
The boat landed its cargo close to the beach.
These craft are designed for landing troops and equipment.
b
: to go onto the shore from a ship or boat
The troops landed on the island.
c
of a ship or boat or its passengers
: to reach the shore
Will the cruise ship land [=arrive] on schedule?
The boat landed at dusk.
There was nowhere for the boat to land.
6
: to catch and bring in (a fish)
Farther down the stream he landed a trout.
7
: to hit someone with (a punch, blow, etc.)
During the fight he never landed a punch.
Cite this Entry
“Land.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/land. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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