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

• arm
• cape
• foreland
• headland
• ness
• point
• promontory
• spit

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

West Side On a map, Antigua vaguely resembles an oblong circle, its jagged coastline interrupted by bays, peninsulas, and tiny inlets that hide each of its 365 beaches. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025

Trump has also accused Zelensky of prolonging the war by resisting negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Crimea, a strategic peninsula along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, was seized by Russia years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022. —Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Piran: The Most Beautiful Sea Town Just a short distance from Ljubljana, Piran is a coastal town situated on a narrow peninsula on the Adriatic Sea, offering stunning views from the city walls and the bell tower of St. George's Church. —Lea Lane, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Crimea is a strategic peninsula along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. —Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025

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