n.
Pronunciation: ' land
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German lant land, Middle Irish lann
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the solid part of the surface of the earth also : a corresponding part of a celestial body (as the moon) b : ground or soil of a specified situation, nature, or quality <dry land > c : the surface of the earth and all its natural resources
2 : a portion of the earth's solid surface distinguishable by boundaries or ownership <bought land in the country>: as a : COUNTRY <the finest cheese in all the land > b : a rural area characterized by farming or ranching also : farming or ranching as a way of life <wanted to move back to the land >
3 : REALM , DOMAIN <in the land of dreams> ― sometimes used in combination <TV- land >
4 : the people of a country <the land rose in rebellion>
5 : an area of a partly machined surface (as the inside of a gun barrel) that is left without machining
– land · less \ ' land-l ə s \ adjective
– land · less · ness \ -n ə s \ noun