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

Synonyms

• country
• fatherland
• home
• mother country
• motherland
• sod

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

An exclusive with the homeland security secretary on the investigation and the national threat environment. —ABC News, 5 Jan. 2025

Bad Bunny is reflecting on his homeland with the release of his latest album. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Jan. 2025

This area is sacred to the 11 bands of the Pit River Tribe, who consider the Medicine Lake Highlands their ancestral homeland and the site of their creation narrative. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025

Schanzer said the threat presents an intelligence problem for agencies tasked with keeping the homeland safe. —Forbestv, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

homeland

noun

home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland 

: native land : fatherland