mother country

Definition of mother countrynext
1
as in birthplace
a place of origin Greece can boast to being the mother country of democracy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in home
the land of one's birth, residence, or citizenship even after decades of living in their adopted nation, they maintained a strong attachment to the mother country

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 mother country The world premiere by Burlingame playwright Geetha Reddy starts off as an HR dispute about sexism at an aerospace company, only to tap into centuries-old resentments dating from Indian immigrant employees’ mother country. Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Feb. 2026 Even so, Maduro’s ouster gave her a lot of hope for her mother country. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026 Rich in mood and gripping in narrative, the book starred a protagonist who stood at odds with his mother country and the political apparatus consuming it. David Morgan, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2025 Since the condition of the Royal Navy was of prime importance to the British Parliament, during the colonial era that body passed several acts that sought to entice or compel colonists in British North America to produce naval stores for the benefit of the mother country. Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mother country
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mother country
Noun
  • The room and exhibition were rooted in vibrant yellow and orange hues, reflective of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, believed to be the birthplace of modern humankind.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
  • The bold experiment in pop-culture unity — and birthplace of ABBA and Celine Dion — could be no more.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The seats being full for the national anthem at each of their home playoff games is a sight not often seen at Southern California sporting events.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • She likely won’t be sentenced until fall (possibly close to the general election) but will — again, just a likely here — at best face home confinement and at worst more than three years in prison.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • At different points, Montgomery has branded itself as the cradle of the Confederacy and the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 May 2026
  • Thousands of people rallied Saturday in the cradle of the modern Civil Rights Movement to mobilize a new voting rights era as conservative states dismantle congressional districts that helped secure Black political representation.
    Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Beyond that lies the equestrian and agricultural country of Somerset County, including Moorland Farm, home of the annual Far Hills Race Meet horse race for more than 100 years.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Just 15 minutes east, is Vega, Texas – a small country town with sprinkles of Route 66 memorabilia.
    Chelsea Torres, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mother country.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mother%20country. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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