# homeland

/ˈhoʊmˌɫænd/ (US) · /hˈəʊmlənd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/homeland
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. country of origin

noun · CEFR B2

the country where you were born or where your family comes from.

For teachers: the country of one's birth or ancestry, often regarded with emotional or patriotic attachment.

- 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.

### 2. ethnic territory

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the traditional land where a specific group of people has lived for a long time.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. Apartheid-era territory

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an area in South Africa where Black people were forced to live during the time of Apartheid.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- He returned to his homeland after many years abroad.
- After the war ended, thousands of refugees began the long journey back to their ancestral homeland.
- The poet's work is deeply rooted in the landscapes of his homeland, reflecting a lifelong preoccupation with the soil and traditions that shaped his early identity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.