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

Because of its location near the Philippines, Japan, China and the Korean peninsula, Guam is a significant strategic base for the U.S., especially with the growing conflict of disputed waters in the South China Sea. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

The storm was expected to continue moving over open waters, however swells generated by Kristy will affect portions of the west coast of the Baja, California peninsula late this week, the hurricane center said. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

By the time Japan withdrew their troops from the Korean peninsula in 1598, as many as 500,000 combatants from Japan, China, and Korea were dead. —Kayti Burt, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024

The devastation expected across the peninsula has already impacted NASA’s space operations. —Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 10 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