Definition of motherlandnext
1
as in birthplace
a place of origin for many oenophiles, France remains the motherland of fine wines

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2
as in home
the land of one's birth, residence, or citizenship all his life he longed to return to his motherland

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 motherland In China, many laud Gu for identifying herself as Chinese and competing for the honor of the motherland. — ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026 This isn’t the first time that food from the motherland has had me in a chokehold. — Andre James, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026 In one, second-generation immigrant Gloria (Katy Correa) returns to her father’s home village in rural Guinea-Bissau for a traditional memorial ritual to mark the old man’s recent passing, and to introduce her twentysomething daughter Nour (D’Johé Kouadio) to her ancestral motherland. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026 Doja Cat‘s South African homecoming may have been brought to a halt when Hey Neighbour festival canceled its 2025 staging, but the Grammy winner will finally get to visit her motherland this spring. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motherland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motherland
Noun
  • Moncler was founded in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, and the mountains are not only the brand’s physical birthplace, but are also symbolic of its goal to aim higher, Ruffini has often said.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The state that launched him to the White House was predominantly white and Republican, an arsenal of the Cold War and the birthplace of a grass-roots anti-tax movement that swept the nation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Signs of this history were on display amid all the adventurous modern art that made Mandell’s home seem like an elegant, circus-like wonderland.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to women’s lifestyle apparel, the brand does kidswear and home, including a bedding assortment and such tabletop items as napkins, tablecloths, runners and place mats.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • According to tradition, the day after she was baptized, her cradle was surrounded by a mysterious swarm of white bees, which entered her mouth, but didn't harm her or even wake her up.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This ecosystem has been the cradle of many major innovative high-tech companies, as well as those sparking innovation and growth in other sectors.
    — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The 20 countries at greatest risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis, ranked by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) annually in our Emergency Watchlist, represent just 12% of the global population, but 90% of those in humanitarian need.
    — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Many other countries and even continents would kill to have this level of ingenuity on their shores.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Noem was appointed special envoy for the Shield of the Americas in March, after she was removed as homeland security secretary amid mounting scrutiny of her management of the department and the influence of her adviser, Corey Lewandowski.
    — Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Jebel Saghro is the ancestral homeland of Telhou’s people, the Aït Atta, a historically powerful Berber (or Amazigh, which means free people) tribe in southeast Morocco.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Motherland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motherland. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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