holland: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “holland” mean?
A historical region and former province in the western Netherlands, often used informally to refer to the entire country.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical region and former province in the western Netherlands, often used informally to refer to the entire country.
Can denote things associated with the Dutch region, such as cultural items, products (e.g., Holland cheese, Holland sauce), or places named after it (e.g., Holland, Michigan).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Holland' is frequently used in geographic and historical contexts; in American English, it may also refer to places in the US named Holland.
Connotations
In British English, it often connotes trade, football, and geographic proximity; in American English, it connotes Dutch heritage, tourism, and places like Holland, Michigan.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to closer geographic and cultural ties, but both varieties use it similarly overall.
Grammar
How to Use “holland” in a Sentence
in Hollandto Hollandfrom HollandVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holland” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Holland Park is a royal park in London.
American English
- The Holland Tunnel is a major transportation route between New York and New Jersey.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in trade contexts, e.g., 'Holland imports' or 'Holland-based company'.
Academic
In historical or geographical studies, e.g., 'the role of Holland in the Dutch Republic'.
Everyday
In travel and culture, e.g., 'planning a trip to Holland' or 'Holland is famous for tulips'.
Technical
In textiles for 'holland cloth' (a type of linen) or in shipping for 'Holland America Line'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holland”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holland”
- Using 'Holland' to refer to the entire Netherlands in formal writing, or confusing it with 'Dutch' which is the adjective for the Netherlands.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Holland is not a country; it is a region within the Netherlands, which is the sovereign state.
In informal contexts, it is common, but for formal or precise usage, 'Netherlands' is preferred to avoid regional bias.
Holland historically referred to a single province, but now it is divided into two provinces: North Holland and South Holland.
Holland became famous for tulips during the Dutch Golden Age when tulip bulbs were highly valued and cultivated extensively, leading to cultural and economic significance.
A historical region and former province in the western Netherlands, often used informally to refer to the entire country.
Holland is usually neutral in register.
Holland: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒlənd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːlənd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Holland' as 'hollow land' because much of it is below sea level, though this is not etymologically accurate.
Conceptual Metaphor
Holland is a land of water and wind, symbolizing human ingenuity in controlling nature through dikes and windmills.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct distinction between Holland and the Netherlands?