The Open Dictionary

land

noun

UK/lænd/
US/lænd/

Definitions of land noun

surface

  1. B2Uncountable

    The part of the Earth's surface that is not covered by water.

    • Extracting oil on land is more cost-effective than at sea.

    • This agreement led to a significant decrease in land-based missiles in Europe.

    • Military leaders will only deploy ground forces after confirming the effectiveness of the air strikes.

area

  1. B1Uncountable

    A specific area of ground used for a particular purpose, such as farming or construction.

    • This area of land is unsuitable for growing corn.

    • I will take legal action against anyone who enters my land without permission.

    • They are looking for a piece of land to build a house on.

country

  1. C2Countableliterary

    A nation or country, often used in a literary context.

    • A land of opportunity.

    • Their goal is to spread their cultural values across the land.

    • This land is renowned for its rich historical heritage.

Phrases of land noun

  • the land

    Refers to farms, the practice of farming, and rural areas.

    • Many people still rely on the land for their livelihood, growing their own food.

verb

UK/lænd/
US/lænd/

Definitions of land verb

arrive

  1. B1TransitiveIntransitive

    To arrive on the ground or another surface after moving through the air; or, to cause an aircraft or object to arrive on the ground.

    • Our plane is scheduled to land at 4 p.m.

    • The pilot successfully landed the aircraft on the rough terrain.

    • The butterfly landed gently on the flower.

  2. B1Intransitive

    To arrive on land from the sea.

    • Our ship landed at the small port in the early morning.

    • After several days at sea, they finally landed.

  3. Intransitive

    To arrive at or appear on a specific website.

    • If you click the link, you will land on the homepage.

    • The controversial remarks quickly landed on social media.

    • Information about the new product landed on the company website.

unload

  1. Transitive

    To bring goods or people off a ship or aircraft.

    • They plan to land troops behind enemy territory.

    • After landing the cargo at the port, the ship is ready to sail again.

catch

  1. Transitive

    To catch a fish with a hook or net and bring it out of the water.

    • He landed a huge tuna.

    • The fishermen landed a large number of fish in the morning.

obtain

  1. C2Transitive

    To obtain or achieve something desirable, especially seemingly easily or unexpectedly.

    • She landed her dream client contract with ease.

    • He was fortunate to land an internship at a prestigious company.

Idioms

  • land of milk and honey

    A place or country where living conditions are prosperous and people have plentiful opportunities to make money.

    • For many immigrants, the United States has always been viewed as a land of milk and honey, rich in opportunity.

  • find out/see how the land lies

    To assess a situation and gather information before making a decision or taking action.

    • Before we make a formal business proposal, I think we should find out how the land lies first.

  • be in the land of nod

    To be asleep; to be in a state of slumber.

    • She looks like she's already in the land of nod.

  • the Land of the Rising Sun

    A poetic name for Japan, referring to its geographical location in the east where the sun rises.

    • Many tourists come to see the beauty of the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.

  • the land of the midnight sun

    A term used to describe the regions within the Arctic Circle, particularly in Europe, where the sun remains visible very late into the night during the summer months.

    • Many tourists flock to Northern Europe in the summer to experience the spectacle of the midnight sun.

  • be in the land of the living

    To be awake or alive, especially after a period of being asleep or inactive.

    • After working for three days and nights straight, he finally regained consciousness this morning and is now back in the land of the living.

Phrasal Verbs of land

  • land up

    to eventually reach a specific location, condition, or circumstance, often unexpectedly or without prior planning

    • We intended to go to Paris but ended up landing in Brussels.

  • land someone with something

    When someone or something causes a difficulty or problem for you.

    • He suddenly took leave, landing me with the entire project's difficulties.

  • land someone in something

    to lead someone into a challenging predicament

    • His poor decisions have landed him in trouble.