peninsula
puh-NIHN-syuh-luh
Peninsula (noun) means a stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake, connected to the mainland on one side. Example: “The village sits on a narrow peninsula, so the sea is visible on three sides.”
noun
1
A stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake, connected to the mainland on one side.
"The village sits on a narrow peninsula, so the sea is visible on three sides."
"Florida is a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico."
"They drove to the tip of the peninsula to watch the sunset over the bay."
How to use peninsula
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA piece of land almost surrounded by water, still attached to a larger landmass.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a narrow peninsula
the tip of the peninsula
a peninsula jutting into the sea
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Word forms
- Plural
- peninsulas, peninsulae
Fill the gap
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The village sits on a narrow _____, so the sea is visible on three sides.
Etymology
From Latin paene ("almost") plus insula ("island") — literally an "almost-island."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for peninsula
See all rhymes for peninsula →Frequently asked questions
What does “peninsula” mean?
The word “peninsula” means a stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake, connected to the mainland on one side. In plain terms, a piece of land almost surrounded by water, still attached to a larger landmass.
How do you pronounce “peninsula”?
“Peninsula” is pronounced puh-NIHN-syuh-luh (/pəˈnɪn.sə.lə/ in IPA).
How do you use “peninsula” in a sentence?
Here is “peninsula” used in a sentence: “Florida is a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.”
What part of speech is “peninsula”?
“Peninsula” is a noun.
Where does the word “peninsula” come from?
The word “peninsula” comes from Latin. From Latin paene ("almost") plus insula ("island") — literally an "almost-island.".
Is “peninsula” a common word?
“Peninsula” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between a peninsula and an island?
An island is completely surrounded by water. A peninsula is surrounded by water on most sides but stays connected to the mainland on one side, so it can be reached without crossing water.
What is the difference between a peninsula and an isthmus?
A peninsula is a stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake and is joined to the mainland on one side. An isthmus is a narrow neck of land that connects two larger landmasses, such as the Isthmus of Panama.
Is it peninsula or peninsular?
Peninsula is the noun, as in "the Iberian Peninsula," while peninsular is the adjective, as in "peninsular Spain." Writing "a peninsular" for the landform itself is a common spelling mistake.
What are some famous examples of peninsulas?
Well-known peninsulas include the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), the Italian Peninsula, the Korean Peninsula, the Arabian Peninsula, and Florida in the United States. Each juts out into the sea while remaining attached to a larger landmass.
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