mainland
noun
main·land
ˈmān-ˌland 
-lənd
: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula
Examples of mainland in a Sentence
the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days
Recent Examples on the Web
Cempedak’s restaurant utilises ingredients grown in its kitchen garden, a seven-acre farm on mainland Bintan, and local markets.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
In Tasmania—the island located around 150 miles from the Australian mainland—Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced free travel on buses and ferries beginning March 30.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In contrast to mainland sites that have been extensively studied, Minamitorishima remains relatively underexplored.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainland
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.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
In Tasmania—the island located around 150 miles from the Australian mainland—Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced free travel on buses and ferries beginning March 30.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In contrast to mainland sites that have been extensively studied, Minamitorishima remains relatively underexplored.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainland
Cite this Entry
“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainland. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mainland
noun
main·land
ˈmān-ˌland
-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
-lənd
1
2
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands
3
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
