homeland

noun

home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland How to pronounce homeland (audio)
also -lənd
plural homelands
Synonyms of homelandnext
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
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.
Instead, Paraguay’s Orlando Gill will be a hero in his homeland. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 30 June 2026 The new curriculum teaches Israel as the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, wading into longstanding politics between Jewish people and Palestinians. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026 Chef tells the tale of his Indian homeland flavors in inventive modern expressions of traditional taste profiles. Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Coming off the Canadian leg of her Red tour, and perhaps pining for her homeland, Swift hosted a rather modest affair for crew members and dancers in 2013. Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for homeland

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeland was circa 1627

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Cite this Entry

“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

homeland

noun
home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland How to pronounce homeland (audio)
: native land : fatherland

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