mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander

ˈmān-ˌlan-dər 

-lən-

noun

Synonyms

• continent
• landmass
• main

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days

Recent Examples on the Web

The strength of Taiwan’s economy last year appeared to relieve him of any political need to rally his nationalist base with fist-shaking actions or rhetoric toward the mainland. —Ian Bremmer, Time, 26 Apr. 2025

Patrolling a paradise under siege Several hundred miles from the Ecuadorian mainland, the waters off the Galápagos Islands glisten with postcard beauty. —David Culver, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025

There may be a limit to the amount bubble tea chains can raise in Hong Kong, while bourses in mainland China prioritize the funding plans of companies with advanced technologies as Beijing tries to build domestic tech prowess. —Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

There’s something almost mystical about Patmos, a Dodecanese island that’s closer to the mainland of Turkey than Greece. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mainland

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander noun

Geographical Definition

Mainland

geographical name

Main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

1

honshu

2

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands

3

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands