peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -shə-lə 

: a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus

also : a piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus

the Italian peninsula

peninsular

pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lər 

-shə-lər

adjective

Synonyms

• arm
• cape
• foreland
• headland
• ness
• point
• promontory
• spit

Examples of peninsula in a Sentence

They built their house on a narrow peninsula.

the peninsula is constantly buffeted by storms

Recent Examples on the Web

The two-bedroom bungalow features an adobe-style exterior, creamy interior walls, and wide-plank wood floors; a kitchen-dining area with an eat-in peninsula, open wood shelving, zellige tiles, and French doors to the two-level patio; an art-tiled bath; and a detached artist's studio. —The Week Staff, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024

North Korean troops joining Vladimir Putin's war have come under fire for the first time, according to a Kyiv official, as a map by Newsweek outlines their journey from the East Asia peninsula to a European battlefield's front line. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Drenching rainfall and perhaps some gusty winds are likely in the western Caribbean, parts of Central America and Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula next week. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024

Nearly all of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is past peak color, though much of Michigan's lower peninsula is still at peak, according to michigan.org/fallcolormap. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -ˈnin-chə-lə 

: a piece of land nearly surrounded by water or sticking out into the water

peninsular

-s(ə-)lər 

-chə-lər

adjective

Etymology

from Latin paeninsula "peninsula," from paene- "almost" and insula "island" — related to insulate, isle, isolate