mainland

[meyn-land, -luh nd] /ˈmeɪnˌlænd, -lənd/
noun
1.
the principal land of a country, region, etc., as distinguished from adjacent islands or a peninsula:
the mainland of Greece.
2.
(in Hawaii) the 48 contiguous states of the U.S.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English; see main1, land

Mainland

[meyn-land, -luh nd] /ˈmeɪnˌlænd, -lənd/
noun
1.
the largest of the Shetland Islands. About 200 sq. mi. (520 sq. km).
2.
Pomona (def 3).
Examples from the web for mainland
  • And that extends to the the flora and fauna too, which is so different from the mainland.
  • The road, after the two wayfarers had crossed from the peninsula to the mainland, was no other than a footpath.
  • It is perched on a little flat point, shut off from the rest of the mainland by a huge rocky cliff.
  • But in some parts of the mainland the machinery was different.
  • Now ferrymen had brought them over from the mainland, boatmen who send even other folks on their way, whosoever comes to them.
  • But over yonder it seemed as if the creature moving there were stretching its neck and raising its head toward the mainland.
  • These cold waters produce precious little moisture needed on the mainland.
  • Discusses the island-based city-state's management of forests on the mainland.
  • Imagine now that a small cohort of about ten individuals got blown away by wind from the mainland to a nearby island.
  • To survive, the villagers recently decided to move to the mainland.
British Dictionary definitions for mainland

mainland

/ˈmeɪnlənd/
noun
1.
the main part of a land mass as opposed to an island or peninsula
2.
the mainland, a particular landmass as viewed from a nearby island with which it has close links, such as Great Britain as viewed from Northern Ireland or continental Australia as viewed from Tasmania
Derived Forms
mainlander, noun

Mainland

/ˈmeɪnlənd/
noun
1.
an island off N Scotland: the largest of the Shetland Islands. Chief town: Lerwick. Pop: 17 550 (2001). Area: about 583 sq km (225 sq miles)
2.
Also called Pomona. an island off N Scotland: the largest of the Orkney Islands. Chief town: Kirkwall. Pop: 15 315 (2001). Area: 492 sq km (190 sq miles)
3.
(NZ) the Mainland, a South Islanders' name for South Island
Word Origin and History for mainland
n.

c.1400, from main (adj.) + land (n.). Usually referring to continuous bodies of land and not islands or peninsulas. Related: Mainlander.