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

Officials involved in the transition on homeland security matters did not specify if Trump planned to nominate Vitello in the future or just use him as an immediate placeholder. —Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Dec. 2024

Julia Ainsley Julia Ainsley is the homeland security correspondent for NBC News and covers the Department of Homeland Security for the NBC News Investigative Unit. —Julia Ainsley, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024

Homeland Security Adviser And Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy: Stephen Miller Trump announced Stephen Miller as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, plus the additional role of homeland security adviser. —Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

There’s not much woods on the reservation itself, but a number of tribe members still hunt land nearby in their traditional homeland. —Andrew Sharp, Outdoor Life, 27 Nov. 2024

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