noun
Common
mainland
MAYN-land
Mainland (noun) means the main continuous landmass of a country or region, as opposed to its islands. Example: “Many people who work on the island commute to the mainland every day.”
noun
1
The main continuous landmass of a country or region, as opposed to its islands.
"Many people who work on the island commute to the mainland every day."
"Supplies are delivered from the mainland by boat twice a week."
"They took a ferry from the island back to the mainland."
How to use mainland
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe primary land area of a country, distinguished from any smaller islands that belong to it.
Common pairings
travel to the mainland
mainland China
mainland Europe
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Word forms
- Plural
- mainlands
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Many people who work on the island commute to the _____ every day.
Etymology
From Middle English mayne londe, equivalent to main + land.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mainland
See all rhymes for mainland →Frequently asked questions
What does “mainland” mean?
The word “mainland” means the main continuous landmass of a country or region, as opposed to its islands. In plain terms, the primary land area of a country, distinguished from any smaller islands that belong to it.
How do you pronounce “mainland”?
“Mainland” is pronounced MAYN-land (/ˈmeɪnlənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mainland” in a sentence?
Here is “mainland” used in a sentence: “They took a ferry from the island back to the mainland.”
What part of speech is “mainland”?
“Mainland” is a noun.
Where does the word “mainland” come from?
The word “mainland” comes from Middle English. From Middle English mayne londe, equivalent to main + land.
Is “mainland” a common word?
“Mainland” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "mainland" and "island"?
The "mainland" is the main continuous landmass of a country or region, while an "island" is a smaller piece of land surrounded by water and separate from it. People often speak of travelling "to the mainland" from an island.
What is the difference between "mainland" and "continent"?
A "continent" is one of Earth's large landmasses, such as Africa or Asia, while "mainland" is relative, referring to the principal landmass of a particular country or region as opposed to its offshore islands. A country's mainland is not necessarily a whole continent.
Should "mainland" be capitalised, as in "mainland China"?
"Mainland" is usually written in lowercase as a common noun, even in phrases such as "mainland China" or "mainland Europe," where it describes the landmass rather than forming part of an official name.
What are common collocations with "mainland"?
"Mainland" frequently appears in phrases such as "mainland Europe," "mainland China," "mainland Britain," and simply "the mainland," typically contrasting the main landmass with nearby islands.
