mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-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

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Its largest island is just 21 square miles, roughly 600 miles off the mainland coast. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025 Its shares traded in Shenzhen, mainland China’s smaller share market after Shanghai, gained 1.2% after dipping earlier in the day. Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 This story was updated May 20 at 12:21 p.m. EST PARIS — The Chanel juggernaut came to a halt last year, as revenues fell for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic and operating profits plummeted 30 percent amid a sharp slowdown in luxury spending in mainland China. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 20 May 2025 Its shares traded in Shenzhen, mainland China’s smaller stock market after Shanghai, gained 1.2% after dipping earlier in the day. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mainland

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainland was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Mainland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainland. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

mainland

noun
main·​land ˈmān-ˌland How to pronounce mainland (audio)
-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 How to pronounce Mainland (audio)
-lənd
1
2
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands
3
island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands

More from Merriam-Webster on mainland

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