fatherland

noun

fa·​ther·​land ˈfä-t͟hər-ˌland How to pronounce fatherland (audio)
Synonyms of fatherlandnext
1
: the native land or country of one's father or ancestors
2
: one's native land or country

Synonyms of fatherland

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Examples of fatherland in a Sentence

though they had lived in their adopted country for many years, the immigrant families never broke their ties with the fatherland entirely
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So the military sent diggers to cut roads into the forest and encouraged people to go down them and plant a flag for the fatherland. — Andrew Downie, Time, 3 Dec. 2022 But another side of me believed in order, discipline and the fatherland. — Nicholas Casey, New York Times, 10 June 2023 Before the invasion, Kirill falsely cast Russian troops as defenders of the fatherland and aimed to dispel moral misgivings. — Nina Shea, National Review, 24 Jan. 2024 Russian soldiers have been indoctrinated by state propaganda that depicts Ukrainians as Nazis and as traitors to the fatherland. — The Week Staff, The Week, 15 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for fatherland

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatherland was in the 13th century

Rhymes for fatherland

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Browse Nearby Words

father-in-law
fatherland
father-lasher
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Cite this Entry

“Fatherland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatherland. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fatherland

noun
fa·​ther·​land ˈfät͟h-ər-ˌland How to pronounce fatherland (audio)
ˈfȧt͟h-
1
: the native land of one's ancestors
2
: one's native land

More from Merriam-Webster on fatherland

Nglish: Translation of fatherland for Spanish Speakers

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