Motherland means a mother country in contrast to its colonies, or the origin of an ethnic minority. This usage is sometimes seen also in English, maybe more often in Social science.

Motherland is otherwise a synonym for fatherland, though perhaps carrying different psychological associations.

In other languages:

• German: Mutterland
• Polish: Macierz
• Portuguese: Pátria-mãe
• Spanish: Madre Patria

See Also

• Motherland - the national anthem of Mauritius
• Motherland - Natalie Merchant's album