peninsula

[puh-nin-suh-luh, -nins-yuh-luh] /pəˈnɪn sə lə, -ˈnɪns yə lə/
noun
1.
an area of land almost completely surrounded by water except for an isthmus connecting it with the mainland.
2.
the Peninsula,
  1. Spain and Portugal together; Iberian Peninsula; Iberia.
  2. a district in SE Virginia between the York and James rivers: Civil War battles.
Origin
1530-40; < Latin paenīnsula, equivalent to paen- pen- + īnsula island
Related forms
peninsular, adjective
peninsularism, peninsularity
[puh-nin-suh-lar-i-tee, -nins-yuh-] /pəˌnɪn səˈlær ɪ ti, -ˌnɪns yə-/ (Show IPA), noun
transpeninsular, adjective
Can be confused
cape, peninsula, promontory.
Examples from the web for peninsulas
  • In the distance peninsulas and promontories stretch into the blue sea.
  • The other seven sites are on peninsulas that extend out into the lake, but have no hookups.
  • They inhabit both peninsulas and survive even in urban areas.
  • Lighthouses warn mariners about prominent rocks and peninsulas.
  • peninsulas are good areas to observe migrating butterflies.
British Dictionary definitions for peninsulas

peninsula

/pɪˈnɪnsjʊlə/
noun
1.
a narrow strip of land projecting into a sea or lake from the mainland
Derived Forms
peninsular, adjective
Usage note
The noun peninsula is sometimes confused with the adjective peninsular: the Iberian peninsula (not peninsular)
Word Origin
C16: from Latin, literally: almost an island, from paenepene- + insula island

Peninsula

noun
1.
the Peninsula, short for the Iberian Peninsula
Word Origin and History for peninsulas

peninsula

n.

1530s, from Latin pæninsula "a peninsula," literally "almost an island," from pæne "almost" + insula "island" (see isle). Earlier translated as demie island.

peninsulas in Science
peninsula
  (pə-nĭn'syə-lə)   
A piece of land that projects into a body of water and is connected with a larger landmass.
peninsulas in Culture

peninsula definition


A body of land enclosed on three sides by water, jutting out from a larger body of land.