mainland

/'meinlənd/

Thân thiện

A ferry carries passengers from the island to the mainland.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula: The primary, continuous expanse of land that forms the central part of a geographical entity, separate from its surrounding islands or peninsulas.

Usage

• The word "mainland" is used to refer to the principal, contiguous land area of a region, country, or continent. It is often used in contrast to offshore islands, territories, or archipelagos.
• It is typically preceded by a definite article ("the") and may be modified by a proper noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Ferries connect the island to the mainland.
  • The storm caused flooding on the mainland.
  • They traveled from Hawaii to the mainland United States.

Advanced Usage

• "The mainland": A common phrase used to specify the principal landmass in a given context.
  • After a week on the small island, she was happy to return to the mainland.
• Used in geopolitical or economic contexts to distinguish a core territory.
  • The company's headquarters are on the mainland, while its research facility is on an island.

Variants and Related Words

• Mainlander (n): A person who lives on the mainland.
  • The islanders sometimes have cultural differences with mainlanders.
• Mainland China (n): A term used to refer to the geopolitical area of China excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
  • The product is available in Mainland China.

Synonyms

• Continent: A large continuous landmass (though "continent" is a larger-scale geographical term).
• Heartland: The central or most important part of a country (more figurative, emphasizing centrality rather than contrast with islands).

Antonyms

• Island: A piece of land surrounded by water.
• Peninsula: A piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.
• Archipelago: A group of islands.

Related Phrases

• Mainland territory: The land area of a country that is on the main continent.
  • The nation's mainland territory spans several climate zones.
• Off the mainland: Located away from the main landmass.
  • The lighthouse is on a rocky islet off the mainland.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula