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

Egypt has not officially commented on specific accusations regarding increasing its military presence in Sinai or on foreign media reports regarding its construction and military activity in the peninsula. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Evidence of these conflicts is bountiful in Gdańsk, Poland, home to Westerplatte, a small peninsula that juts out into the Baltic Sea. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

Be sure to walk the seaside promenade ringing the peninsula. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

On a recent Sunday morning, there were cars parked all the way from the Point Isabel lot to the Costco entrance on the other side of the peninsula. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 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