Definition of headlandnext
1
as in peninsula
an area of high ground jutting out into a body of water beyond the line of the coast the lighthouse, situated on a narrow, rocky headland, commands an expansive view of the coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in cape
an area of land that juts out into a body of water navigation is notoriously difficult at the southernmost tip of South America, where ships must round the headland of Cape Horn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of headland If time allows for a mini roadtrip, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head out to Point Reyes National Seashore, a treasure trove of rocky headlands, beaches, and waterfall hikes. — Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026 Freeman envisioned the steep bluff as a natural amphitheater and arranged the villas on staggered terraces that hug the headland to ensure unobstructed ocean views over the roofs below. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Trade those greatest hits for a few hours’ drive above Dublin and the reward is a wilder, more elemental Ireland — Atlantic headlands carved by weather rather than postcards, beaches that appear out of nowhere, and cliffs that don’t require elbowing for a view. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026 The nation’s tourist-friendly coastlines have been transformed too, most prominently in Ras El-Hekma, a vast Mediterranean headland that helped draw in $35 billion of United Arab Emirates investment in early 2024. — Tarek El-Tablawy, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headland
Noun
  • Trump wanted to eliminate the public road that loops around the peninsula, allowing the golf course to stretch to the water’s edge.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Polo was moving to the north-northwest at 12 mph about 285 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas at the peninsula’s southern tip, according to the hurricane center.
    — Ryan Chandler, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Cashmere also appeared in the mid-length Hastings trench for men and a shearling-collared cape for women.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Glambert rescued the tribute—the only singer who didn’t look one tiny bit nervous tackling this songbook, peacocking in a black-leather cape, and his confidence loosened everyone up onstage.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Topkapi Palace, built in the 15th century on a strategic promontory at the edge of Europe, was the seat of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Tracing the length of one of these wild, winding promontories is the glorious, 46-mile Queen Charlotte Track, says Helen Pickles in The Times.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 30 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headland. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster