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

Zhuang, a senior who studied art, was originally from mainland China and was living in California on a student visa. —Laura Barcella, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

Originally from mainland China, the partners are now naturalized Singapore citizens. —Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Many of the industrial chemicals used to make fentanyl — and other synthetic street drugs — have been linked to firms operating in mainland China. —Brian Mann, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025

The man driving the Denali was also airlifted to the mainland, Reinoso said, adding the driver is a local from Monroe County, whereas the man and woman in the BMW are from Maryland. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 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