# motherland

/ˈməðɝˌɫænd/ (US) · /mˈʌðələnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motherland
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. native country

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

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

For teachers: the country of one's birth or ancestry, often used to express deep emotional or nationalistic attachment.

- After living abroad for twenty years, he finally returned to his motherland.
- The poet wrote extensively about the rolling hills and ancient traditions of his motherland, reflecting a deep sense of cultural belonging.

Usage: Usually used with a possessive pronoun like 'my' or 'their'.

Teaching tip: While 'homeland' is more neutral, 'motherland' often implies a protective or nurturing emotional bond; note that some cultures prefer 'fatherland'.

### 2. colonial origin

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

a country that has colonies in other parts of the world.

For teachers: the country of origin of a group of settlers or the dominant power in a colonial relationship.

- The settlers maintained the legal traditions they had brought from the motherland.
- Economic policies were often dictated by the motherland, sometimes to the detriment of the local colonial population's interests.

Usage: Often used in historical or political contexts regarding empires.

Teaching tip: In modern academic writing, 'metropole' or 'mother country' is sometimes preferred to avoid the gendered personification of the state.

## Examples

- He returned to his motherland after living abroad for twenty years.
- The poet wrote extensively about the rolling hills and traditions of his motherland, expressing a deep longing for home.
- Expatriates often maintain a complex relationship with their motherland, balancing the cultural heritage of their upbringing with the lived realities of their adopted nations.

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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.