mainland

¹

[meyn-land, -luhnd]

noun

1. the principal land of a country, region, etc., as distinguished from adjacent islands or a peninsula.

   the mainland of Greece.

2. any part of or all of the continental United States or conterminous United States, especially from the perspective of someone in a geographically detached U.S. state or territory, such as Hawaii or Guam.

   I’m not sure where on the mainland Jasmine went to college, but it may have been Milwaukee.

Mainland

²

[meyn-land, -luhnd]

noun

1. the largest of the Shetland Islands. About 200 sq. mi. (520 sq. km).

2. Pomona.

Mainland

¹

/ ˈmeɪnlənd /

noun

1. an island off N Scotland: the largest of the Shetland Islands. Chief town: Lerwick. Pop: 17 550 (2001). Area: about 583 sq km (225 sq miles)

2. Also called: Pomona. an island off N Scotland: the largest of the Orkney Islands. Chief town: Kirkwall. Pop: 15 315 (2001). Area: 492 sq km (190 sq miles)

3. a South Islanders' name for South Island

mainland

²

/ ˈmeɪnlənd /

noun

1. the main part of a land mass as opposed to an island or peninsula

2. a particular landmass as viewed from a nearby island with which it has close links, such as Great Britain as viewed from Northern Ireland or continental Australia as viewed from Tasmania

Other Word Forms

• mainlander noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mainland¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; main ¹, land

Example Sentences

Key markets, such as South Korea’s Kospi and mainland China, are closed due to public holidays.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Elhedery called the deal “a significant investment into Hong Kong’s economy, underscoring our confidence in this market and commitment to its future as a leading global financial center” linking mainland China to world markets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In China, mainland shares rose after trading resumed following the Golden Week holiday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

New Caledonians—including those currently ineligible to cast ballots in local elections—are automatically French citizens and entitled to vote in national elections, just as if they lived in mainland France.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

New Caledonians, including those currently ineligible to cast ballots in local elections, are automatically French citizens and entitled to vote in national elections, just as if they lived in mainland France.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• continent