native soil; homeland; metropole
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesnoun
native place; homeland; one's native soil
Emphasizes one's place of origin or roots.
Although he has lived abroad for many years, his heart remains in his homeland.
Protecting indigenous culture is very important.
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This native local dialect is difficult for outsiders to understand.
noun
inherent territory; homeland of a nation
formalRefers to the core, historically established territory of a sovereign state.
The Diaoyu Islands have been China's sacred inherent territory since ancient times.
Defending the security of the nation's homeland is the military's primary task.
noun
metropole; colonial power's home country
formalUsed in historical/political contexts to contrast the colonizing nation's homeland with its overseas colonies.
British colonial policy prioritized the interests of the metropole over those of the colonies.
A great deal of wealth flowed from the colonies to the colonizers' homeland.