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

As Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu work to expel Gazans from their homeland, Israel continues to imprison thousands of Palestinians — many of whom, like Khalil, have not been charged with a crime. —Adam Jaffe, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025

These spaces operate similar to Western coffee shops, but with longer hours, beans imported from homeland farms, and cultural coffee practices built into the operations. —Hira Qureshi, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2025

In 2010, Mariana won Miss Universe Puerto Rico, which marked a proud moment for her in representing her homeland. —Erica Marrison, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025

Nor is such a homeland strategy adequate by itself. —Stephen Peter Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homeland

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

homeland

noun

home·​land ˈhōm-ˌland 

: native land : fatherland