mainland

Everyday

The main large part of a country or continent, not counting the islands near it. tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons it is used to compare islands with the land next to them: Tasmania and mainland Australia, the Isle of Wight and mainland Britain, Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland. In stories, characters take a ferry from an island to the mainland. Phrases: the mainland, mainland Europe, mainland China, back to the mainland.

Examples

• We took the ferry from the island back to the mainland. tree →
• Tasmania is an island south of mainland Australia. tree →
• Some Scottish islanders shop on the mainland once a week. tree →
• Mainland Europe is just across the sea from Britain. tree →
• The storm cut the island off from the mainland. tree →
• Kangaroo Island has animals that are rare on the mainland. tree →
• In the morning the king arose early, and crossed over to the mainland. tree →

Note

Usually used with the: the mainland. In the UK, mainland Europe is often called the Continent. It is one word, not main land.