peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -shə-lə 

: 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 

-shə-lər

adjective

Synonyms of peninsula

• cape
• point
• headland

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

Many decades ago, packing untold tons of sand together, the island’s original owner created a narrow road to the island from a peninsula that connects to the mainland. —Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026

The emirate has just 72 kilometers (45 miles) of natural shoreline, but artificial islands and peninsulas have provided far more beachfront for its 4 million residents, and the millionaires and billionaires who collect such properties. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026

The crew plans to travel around the Florida peninsula, up the East Coast, up the Hudson River, through the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi River. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

As a coastal peninsula, Wilmington is bordered by the Cape Fear River and separated from the ocean by barrier islands, tidal marshes, and sounds. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin paeninsula, from paene almost + insula island

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peninsula

• insole
• insula

Kids Definition

peninsula

noun

pen·​in·​su·​la pə-ˈnin(t)-s(ə-)lə  -ˈnin-chə-lə 

: a piece of land nearly surrounded by water or sticking out into the water

peninsular

-s(ə-)lər 

-chə-lər

adjective

Etymology

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