mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander

ˈmān-ˌlan-dər 

-lən-

noun

Synonyms

• continent
• landmass
• main

Examples of mainland in a Sentence

the boat back to the mainland leaves once every two days

Recent Examples on the Web

Taiwanese democracy promoted a Taiwanese national identity that was separate from mainland China. —Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024

As of January, the brand operates 711 stores worldwide — 127 of them in mainland China, an increase of 28 points of sale year-over-year. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 21 June 2024

The pair split their time between Hong Kong and mainland China. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024

Taiwan was formerly a Japanese colony and separated from mainland China amid civil war in 1949. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mainland

noun

main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

: a continent or the main part of a continent as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes from a cape or peninsula

mainlander noun

Geographical Definition

Mainland

geographical name

Main·​land ˈmān-ˌland 

-lənd

1

honshu

2

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Orkney Islands

3

island in northern Scotland; largest of the Shetland Islands