mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-lənd
: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula
mainlander noun

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days
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.
The strength of Taiwan’s economy last year appeared to relieve him of any political need to rally his nationalist base with fist-shaking actions or rhetoric toward the mainland. Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025 Patrolling a paradise under siege Several hundred miles from the Ecuadorian mainland, the waters off the Galápagos Islands glisten with postcard beauty. David Culver, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025 There may be a limit to the amount bubble tea chains can raise in Hong Kong, while bourses in mainland China prioritize the funding plans of companies with advanced technologies as Beijing tries to build domestic tech prowess. Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 There’s something almost mystical about Patmos, a Dodecanese island that’s closer to the mainland of Turkey than Greece. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mainland

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainland was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainland. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

mainland

noun
main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-lənd
: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula
mainlander noun

Geographical Definition

Mainland

geographical name

Main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce Mainland (audio)
-lənd
1
2
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands
3
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands

More from Merriam-Webster on mainland

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