main·land

[meyn-land, -luhnd]
noun
1.
the principal land of a country, region, etc., as distinguished from adjacent islands or a peninsula: the mainland of Greece.
2.
(in Hawaii) the 48 contiguous states of the U.S.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English; see main1, land

Dictionary.com Unabridged

Main·land

[meyn-land, -luhnd]
noun
1.
the largest of the Shetland Islands. About 200 sq. mi. (520 sq. km).
2.
Pomona ( def 3 ).
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Mainland is always a great word to know.
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a fool or simpleton; ninny.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Collins
World English Dictionary
mainland (ˈmeɪnlənd) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the main part of a land mass as opposed to an island or peninsula
2.  the mainland a particular landmass as viewed from a nearby island with which it has close links, such as Great Britain as viewed from Northern Ireland or continental Australia as viewed from Tasmania
 
'mainlander
 
n

Mainland (ˈmeɪnlənd) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  an island off N Scotland: the largest of the Shetland Islands. Chief town: Lerwick. Pop: 17 550 (2001). Area: about 583 sq km (225 sq miles)
2.  Also called: Pomona an island off N Scotland: the largest of the Orkney Islands. Chief town: Kirkwall. Pop: 15 315 (2001). Area: 492 sq km (190 sq miles)
3.  (NZ) the Mainland a South Islanders' name for South Island

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

mainland
late 14c. from main (adj.) + land (n.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The mainland's charm offensive has at times been subtle.
Discusses the island-based city-state's management of forests on the mainland.
When the snakes first arrive on an island, they find prey that are generally
  larger than they're used to on the mainland.
Now ferrymen had brought them over from the mainland, boatmen who send even
  other folks on their way, whosoever comes to them.
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