motherland

American  

[muhth-er-land] / ˈmʌð ərˌlænd /

noun

1. one's native land.

2. the land of one's ancestors.

3. a country considered as the origin or source of something.

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motherland British  

/ ˈmʌðəˌlænd /

noun

1. another word for fatherland

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Etymology

Origin of motherland

First recorded in 1705–15; mother ¹ + land

Example Sentences

The team has as many members from outside the country’s borders as players born in the motherland.

From The Wall Street Journal

The AINs are far outnumbered by the dozens of Russian-born athletes who have dodged the ban on their motherland and taken to the ice and snow under the flags of other countries.

From The Wall Street Journal

"My home is Ukraine because it's my motherland, I was born there. But my second home now is Scotland, where we feel happiness, where we feel comfortable," he says.

From BBC

"After more than a century of colonial rule, Hong Kongers feel proud to return to the embrace of the motherland," he wrote.

From BBC

Foreign policy issues were mixed with musings about the motherland, praise for local businesses, fish prices and the importance of looking after veterans.

From BBC

Related Words

• country of origin
• homeland