headland

noun

head·​land ˈhed-lənd How to pronounce headland (audio)
-ˌland
1
: unplowed land at the ends of furrows or near a fence
2
: a point of usually high land jutting out into a body of water : promontory

Examples of headland in a Sentence

the lighthouse, situated on a narrow, rocky headland, commands an expansive view of the coast navigation is notoriously difficult at the southernmost tip of South America, where ships must round the headland of Cape Horn
Recent Examples on the Web Recreational areas with seats, paths and native plants would top the headlands, which are intended to hold sand in place on the beach. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2024 The Australian firm International Coastal Management submitted the concept, and the headlands would be small, rounded extensions of the beach to be built at the ends of Tyson and Wisconsin streets. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2024 Before the arrival of European explorers in the 1800s, the island’s steep headlands teemed with hundreds of thousands of raucous seabirds, including albatrosses, terns and petrels, whose guano oozed down bluffs to enrich waters brimming with fish. Tim Lydon, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023 Covering 38 acres on a headland in the southern part of the island, Six Senses La Sagesse comprises a luxurious resort and private residences. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023 Acadia National Park, Maine An average of five feet of snow fall on Acadia’s evergreen forests and rocky headlands over the course of a year, transforming the park’s scenic loop drive and winding carriage roads into a paradise for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Sarah L. Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2023 Anchoring off a mighty headland, Bartholomew Gosnold and his crew fished for food and caught cod aplenty. Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Explore the Damnable Trails, a network of hiking paths that weave through the rugged coastal headlands and boreal forest with historical points of interest (old graveyards, heritage homes, etc.), beaches, and sweeping views. Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2023 The bypass system could be combined with artificial headlands to hold the sand on the beach. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headland.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headland was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near headland

Cite this Entry

“Headland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headland. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

headland

noun
head·​land ˈhed-lənd How to pronounce headland (audio)
-ˌland
: a point of land sticking out into the sea : promontory

More from Merriam-Webster on headland

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