mainland
The main big area of land of a country or region, not including its islands.
The main continuous land area of a country, continent, or region, considered separately from its islands or outlying territories.
From the main land area of a country or region, not from its islands.
Relating to, coming from, or located in the mainland as opposed to the islands or outlying territories.
- Base: mainland
- Base: mainland
mainland China
1China excluding certain regions
The part of China that is the large main land area, not including Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan.
- Many companies manufacture their products in mainland China.
- Travel rules for visitors from mainland China are different from those for local residents.
- She grew up in Hong Kong but later moved to mainland China for work.
mainland Europe
1continental Europe, not islands
The part of Europe that is one large piece of land, not islands like Great Britain or Ireland.
- Trains from London connect directly to mainland Europe through the Channel Tunnel.
- Food prices are often lower in mainland Europe than in the UK.
- They spent their holiday driving across mainland Europe.
the mainland
1the main land area, not islands
The main big area of land of a country or region, not its islands, when talking about a specific place.
- Ferries to the mainland run every two hours.
- During winter, heavy snow can cut the village off from the mainland.
- Many young people leave the island for better jobs on the mainland.