homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland 
also -lənd
plural homelands
1
: the native land or country of one's parents, one's ancestors, or oneself
our ancestral homeland
hadn't seen their homeland since they were children
2
: a state or area designated as a state for a people of a particular national, cultural, or racial origin
They are fighting for an independent homeland.
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security [=a department in the U.S. government that is responsible for the safety of the U.S. and its citizens]
specifically, in South African history
: any of several all-Black enclaves that had a limited degree of self-government : bantustan
Examples of homeland in a Sentence
He returned to his homeland for the first time in many years.
The rebels are fighting for an independent homeland.
Recent Examples on the Web
Recently, our secretary of homeland security, Kristi Noem, visited Haskell.
—
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025
The United States has recently constructed more silos for launching interceptors to protect its homeland against potential North Korean attacks with its long-range nuclear missiles.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
As someone who spent my whole career protecting our homeland, every country deserves to know who and what is coming across its border.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
Our homeland and national security functions are appropriately centered in federal jurisdiction (with industry partners).
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homeland
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Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025
The United States has recently constructed more silos for launching interceptors to protect its homeland against potential North Korean attacks with its long-range nuclear missiles.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
As someone who spent my whole career protecting our homeland, every country deserves to know who and what is coming across its border.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
Our homeland and national security functions are appropriately centered in federal jurisdiction (with industry partners).
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
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