peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio) -shə-lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
Synonyms of peninsulanext
: a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus
also : a piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus
the Italian peninsula
peninsular
pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lər How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
-shə-lər
adjective

Synonyms of peninsula

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Examples of peninsula in a Sentence

They built their house on a narrow peninsula. the peninsula is constantly buffeted by storms
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In those five years, the deer and elk were involved in more than 950 collisions with vehicles on the peninsula, which resulted in two human’s deaths and more than 80 injuries. — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026 Russia launched its full-scale offensive against Ukraine in February 2022 and has regularly struck its neighbor, including from the Crimean peninsula. — CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 Monday’s return includes Cap Ferret peninsula, a tourist hot spot along the Atlantic coast, and Le Porge, the municipality hardest hit by the fire, where 183 homes were destroyed. — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 Firefighters battled another blaze near Nea Tenedos on the peninsula of Halkidiki. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peninsula

Word History

Etymology

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peninsula was circa 1552

Rhymes for peninsula

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Browse Nearby Words

pen in
peninsula
peninsula pine
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Cite this Entry

“Peninsula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peninsula. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

peninsula

noun
pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio) -ˈnin-chə-lə How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
: a piece of land nearly surrounded by water or sticking out into the water
peninsular
-s(ə-)lər How to pronounce peninsula (audio)
-chə-lər
adjective
Etymology

from Latin paeninsula "peninsula," from paene- "almost" and insula "island" — related to insulate, isle, isolate

More from Merriam-Webster on peninsula

Nglish: Translation of peninsula for Spanish Speakers

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