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
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
Harry claimed he and his family are endangered when visiting his homeland because of hostility aimed at him and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on social media and through relentless hounding by news media.
—
Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The Glasses’ collection features three color stories, neutral tones inspired by the siblings’ homeland; the red and black hues recalling Navajo dyeing techniques, and indigo.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
His family escaped a totalitarian regime that persecuted them and now complain about opportunistic and culturally incompatible immigrants who seek to transform their adoptive country into a version of their regressive, Jew-hating, theocratic homelands.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
The group’s interest in their homeland and its economic prowess is shown in its support for a number of events connected to their homeland with the annual charity ball, being one of them.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homeland
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Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The Glasses’ collection features three color stories, neutral tones inspired by the siblings’ homeland; the red and black hues recalling Navajo dyeing techniques, and indigo.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
His family escaped a totalitarian regime that persecuted them and now complain about opportunistic and culturally incompatible immigrants who seek to transform their adoptive country into a version of their regressive, Jew-hating, theocratic homelands.
—David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
The group’s interest in their homeland and its economic prowess is shown in its support for a number of events connected to their homeland with the annual charity ball, being one of them.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homeland
Cite this Entry
“Homeland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeland. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homeland
noun
home·land
ˈhōm-ˌland
: native land : fatherland
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