B1adjective3K

Mainland

UK /["/ˈmeɪnlənd//ˈmeɪnlænd/"]/US /["/ˈmeɪnlənd//ˈmeɪnlænd/"]/

Definition

belonging to the main area of land of a country or region, not including any islands near to it

In simple words: The main part of a country, not including its islands.

Examples

  • mainland Greece/Europe

Usage notes

Use 'mainland' to refer to the largest part of a landmass, especially when discussing countries with islands. Not typically used in formal academic contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'main land' as the primary part of a country.

Collocations

  • mainland China
  • mainland Europe
  • mainland United States

Synonyms

  • landmass
  • continent
  • country

Antonyms

  • island

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'mainland' with 'island'.
  • Using 'mainland' to refer to a specific island instead of the larger landmass.
  • Overusing 'mainland' without specifying the country or region.