mainland
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the largest part of a country or continent, rather than the islands near it.
the principal landmass of a country or continent, as distinguished from its offshore islands or peninsulas.
Simple“We took a ferry from the small island back to the mainland.”
In context“The coastal communities rely heavily on the mainland for specialized medical services and the distribution of heavy industrial goods.”
UsageUsually preceded by 'the'.
SynonymscontinentlandmassAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a name people in Northern Ireland sometimes use for Great Britain.
a term used within Northern Ireland to refer to the island of Great Britain.
Simple“He moved to the mainland to study at a university in London.”
In context“Political discourse regarding the relationship between Northern Ireland and the mainland often centers on economic integration and transport links.”
UsageCommon in Northern Irish English to distinguish the two islands of the UK.
Teacher's tipLearners should be aware that this usage is specific to the political and geographic context of the British Isles.
Synonymsgreat britain - 03 C1 Advanced
the biggest island in a group of islands, like the Orkney or Shetland islands.
the principal or largest island within a specific archipelago, notably used for the main islands of Orkney and Shetland.
Simple“Most of the population of the Shetland Islands lives on the Mainland.”
In context“Archaeological sites on the Mainland of Orkney provide significant insight into Neolithic settlement patterns in Northern Europe.”
UsageOften capitalized when referring to the specific islands in Orkney or Shetland.
“The accounts also wrongly show Ceuta as a viable route to mainland Europe.”
“A maximum level-five alert for fires was issued for much of the Greek mainland and local officials in Halkidiki have banned access to the region’s dense pine forests.”