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
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
With their newest product, Coffee Fix Peptide Eye Cream, the brand builds upon its ethos of incorporating natural ingredients—such as hibiscus, coffee, and soursop—from her homeland of Jamaica.
—
Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
The secretaries of state, education, and homeland security are also supposed to provide guidance for colleges and universities about how to report antisemitism by aliens that could be grounds for investigation or deportation.
—Joseph Lawler, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Feb. 2025
Such fantasies of swift solutions are so much simpler than the hard work of temporarily housing Gazans while reconstruction commences and negotiations proceed toward some form of Palestinian homeland.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
Croatia's first ever satellite has just beamed to Earth the first image of its homeland.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for homeland 
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.
Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
The secretaries of state, education, and homeland security are also supposed to provide guidance for colleges and universities about how to report antisemitism by aliens that could be grounds for investigation or deportation.
—Joseph Lawler, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Feb. 2025
Such fantasies of swift solutions are so much simpler than the hard work of temporarily housing Gazans while reconstruction commences and negotiations proceed toward some form of Palestinian homeland.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
Croatia's first ever satellite has just beamed to Earth the first image of its homeland.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for homeland
Dictionary Entries Near homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share