homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland 
also -lənd
plural homelands
1
: the native land or country of one's parents, one's ancestors, or oneself
our ancestral homeland
hadn't seen their homeland since they were children
2
: a state or area designated as a state for a people of a particular national, cultural, or racial origin
They are fighting for an independent homeland.
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security [=a department in the U.S. government that is responsible for the safety of the U.S. and its citizens]
specifically, in South African history
: any of several all-Black enclaves that had a limited degree of self-government : bantustan
Synonyms
Examples of homeland in a Sentence
He returned to his homeland for the first time in many years.
The rebels are fighting for an independent homeland.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Biden administration's outgoing homeland security secretary is Alejandro Mayorkas, who previously served as a deputy secretary of homeland security, and before that, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
—
Graham Kates, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
Black-naped pheasant-pigeon Lost: 1896 | Found: 2022 For 126 years, this secretive pheasant-like bird was considered all but lost on its homeland of Fergusson Island, a rugged and mountainous landmass off Papua New Guinea.
—Kate Wheeling, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024
Baker continues to restore the Lenape ways to his traditional homeland.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
Lawmakers reacted with anger at the homeland security chief and FBI director.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for homeland 
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Graham Kates, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
Black-naped pheasant-pigeon Lost: 1896 | Found: 2022 For 126 years, this secretive pheasant-like bird was considered all but lost on its homeland of Fergusson Island, a rugged and mountainous landmass off Papua New Guinea.
—Kate Wheeling, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024
Baker continues to restore the Lenape ways to his traditional homeland.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
Lawmakers reacted with anger at the homeland security chief and FBI director.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for homeland
Dictionary Entries Near homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
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