homeland
n.-
1 country of origin (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe country where you were born or where your family comes from.
the country of one's birth or ancestry, often regarded with emotional or patriotic attachment.
ExampleAfter living abroad for twenty years, he finally returned to his homeland.
ExampleThe poet wrote extensively about the rolling hills of his homeland, expressing a deep nostalgia for the landscape of his youth.
- motherland
- fatherland
- native land
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2 ethnic territory (n.) C1 Advanced Formalthe traditional land where a specific group of people has lived for a long time.
the traditional or ancestral territory of a specific ethnic group, tribe, or cultural community.
ExampleThe tribe fought to protect their ancient homeland from developers.
ExampleThe treaty recognised the region as the sovereign homeland of the indigenous population, granting them autonomy over local resources.
- territory
- ancestral land
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3 Apartheid-era territory (n.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Technicalan area in South Africa where Black people were forced to live during the time of Apartheid.
a territory set aside for Black South Africans under the historical policy of apartheid.
ExampleDuring the Apartheid era, many families were forced to move to designated homelands.
ExampleThe creation of these homelands was a central pillar of the government's strategy to enforce racial segregation and deny citizenship to the majority.
UsageUsually used in a historical context when discussing 20th-century South African politics.
Teacher's tipThis sense is historically specific and carries a negative political weight; it should not be confused with the general meaning of 'native country'.
- bantustan
From home + land.