Word
homeland
Phoneticshome·land, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhoʊmˌɫænd/
UK/hˈəʊmlənd/
Definitions
01country of origin
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the country where you were born or where your family comes from.
n. the country of one's birth or ancestry, often regarded with emotional or patriotic attachment.
日本語:祖国※
“After living abroad for twenty years, he finally returned to his homeland.”
“The poet wrote extensively about the rolling hills of his homeland, expressing a deep nostalgia for the landscape of his youth.”
Synonyms
02ethnic territory
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the traditional land where a specific group of people has lived for a long time.
n. the traditional or ancestral territory of a specific ethnic group, tribe, or cultural community.
“The tribe fought to protect their ancient homeland from developers.”
“The treaty recognised the region as the sovereign homeland of the indigenous population, granting them autonomy over local resources.”
Synonyms
03Apartheid-era territory
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Technical
n. an area in South Africa where Black people were forced to live during the time of Apartheid.
n. a territory set aside for Black South Africans under the historical policy of apartheid.
“During the Apartheid era, many families were forced to move to designated homelands.”
“The creation of these homelands was a central pillar of the government's strategy to enforce racial segregation and deny citizenship to the majority.”
Usage
Usually used in a historical context when discussing 20th-century South African politics.
Teaching tip
This sense is historically specific and carries a negative political weight; it should not be confused with the general meaning of 'native country'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “homeland” in context.
Verb
01. defend the homeland
“The soldiers were highly motivated by the need to defend the homeland against foreign invasion.”
verb + noun
02. flee their homeland
“Thousands of refugees were forced to flee their homeland due to the escalating civil war.”
verb + possessive + noun
03. return to the homeland
“After decades in exile, the poet finally returned to the homeland he had written so much about.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. adopted homeland
“Although born in Italy, she has lived in Canada for forty years and considers it her adopted homeland.”
adj + noun
05. ancestral homeland
“Many members of the diaspora feel a deep spiritual connection to their ancestral homeland.”
adj + noun
06. spiritual homeland
“For many artists, Paris remains a spiritual homeland that fosters creativity and innovation.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. homeland security
“The government increased funding for homeland security to prevent potential domestic threats.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. in the homeland
“Economic conditions in the homeland have improved significantly over the last decade.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“After a period in youth coaching, Pocognoli enjoyed a successful time in charge of Union Saint-Gilloise in his homeland.” “A new gallery show in London features the paintings of Marc Padeu, playing with themes from Renaissance art and bringing them to his homeland of Cameroon.” Etymology
From home + land.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/homeland
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0