Dictionary.com
definitions

mainland

[ meyn-land, -luh nd ]
/ ˈmeɪnˌlænd, -lənd /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mainland ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the principal land of a country, region, etc., as distinguished from adjacent islands or a peninsula: the mainland of Greece.
(in Hawaii) the 48 contiguous states of the U.S.

RELATED CONTENT

What Bizarre Error Gave California Its Name?When the Spanish first began exploring the Pacific Coast of North America, they mistakenly believed that California was an island. (Some of the earliest and most fascinating maps of the state depict it as separated from the mainland.) This is considered one of the greatest, albeit short-lived, cartographic errors. Early mapmakers began labeling the “island” as California, the name of a mythical island in a book …
READ MORE
yangRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

continent, beach

Nearby words

  1. maine coon,
  2. maine coon cat,
  3. maine-et-loire,
  4. mainer,
  5. mainframe,
  6. mainland china,
  7. mainlander,
  8. mainline,
  9. mainliner,
  10. mainly

Origin of mainland

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at main1, land

Definition for mainland (2 of 2)

Mainland

[ meyn-land, -luh nd ]
/ ˈmeɪnˌlænd, -lənd /

noun

the largest of the Shetland Islands. About 200 sq. mi. (520 sq. km).
Pomona(def 3).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mainland

British Dictionary definitions for mainland (1 of 2)

mainland

/ (ˈmeɪnlənd) /

noun

the main part of a land mass as opposed to an island or peninsula
the mainland 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
Derived Formsmainlander, noun

British Dictionary definitions for mainland (2 of 2)

Mainland

/ (ˈmeɪnlənd) /

noun

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)
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)
the Mainland NZ a South Islanders' name for South Island
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mainland

mainland

n.

c.1400, from main (adj.) + land (n.). Usually referring to continuous bodies of land and not islands or peninsulas. Related: Mainlander.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper