mainland Hear it!

mainland Definition

main·land (mān′land′, -lənd)

noun

the principal land or largest part of a continent or country, as distinguished from a relatively small island or peninsula

mainland Related Forms
main′·land′er noun
Mainland Definition

Main·land (mān′land′, -lənd)

  1. chief island of Japan

  2. largest of the Orkney Islands: c. 190 sq mi (492 sq km)

  3. largest of the Shetland Islands: 407 sq mi (1,054 sq km)

mainland Synonyms

mainland

n.

shore, beach, dry land; see continent, land 1, region 1.

mainland Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • invade: Britain would not risk invading the French mainland yet, but she might attempt to seize back one of her Channel Isles.
  • reach: Please bear in mind that the nearest shop is 10 miles away over single track roads after reaching the mainland by boat.
  • link: They are reinforcing the bridge that links the mainland to Portsea Island.
  • visit: We are also well situated, if you wish to visit the Welsh mainland.

Preposition: at

  • tide: This is a long steep sided ridge jutting into the sea and almost cut off from the mainland at high tide.

Adjective modifier

  • Antarctic: On 30 January 1820 he made the first definite charting of the Antarctic mainland.
  • Chinese: Tourist visits to Taiwan by people from the Chinese mainland will be promoted.
  • Scottish: The Orkney Isles lie within sight of the northern shores of the Scottish mainland.
  • Greek: He was evacuated on 21st May and taken back to the Greek mainland where he spent several months in hospital.
  • Spanish: Some of its members have already served time on the Spanish mainland for serious offenses.
  • continental: Why is it that the British have such a reluctance to embrace the idea - popular on the continental mainland - of European federalisation?

Modifies a noun

  • uk.: Bristol & West only lend within mainland UK. * Lines open 8.00am 8.00pm Monday to Friday, 10.00am 1.00pm Saturday.
  • shore: It is considerably more exposed than the corresponding mainland shore to waves and tidal currents.
  • coast: There are some diving locations along the mainland coast too, both south and north, which are well worth visiting.
  • colony: Open daily One of the UK's largest mainland seabird colonies.
  • delivery: UK mainland delivery starts from just three pound fifty pence per order.
  • destination: Overseas: Our standard delivery charge applies to UK mainland destinations only.

Used with adjective complement

  • cover: Panoramas covering mainland Scotland plus mainland England & Wales from Leeds ( Yorks ) south.

Preposition: by

  • causeway: Terminal built on an island sticking out into West Loch Tarbert, joined to the mainland by causeway.
  • bridge: The island, about 15-20 miles across is joined to the mainland by the bridges across the Menai Straits.