Continent
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈkɒntɪnənt/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Continent is a noun meaning (figurative) A large connected expanse of something in general.
Meaning
(figurative) A large connected expanse of something in general.
More Meanings
- (geography, geology) One of the main contiguous landmasses, separated by water or geological features, on the surface of a planet, sometimes including its continental shelves and the islands on them.
- (sociogeography) Each of the traditional main regions into which the Earth’s land surface is divided, including both an extent of mainland and various conventionally associated islands, etc; namely, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia/Oceania, North America, South America, and Antarctica.
- (obsolete) Any continuous tract or area of land; country, connected region.
- (obsolete) Land (as opposed to the water), dry land.
- (obsolete) The body or mass of a celestial body such as the sun or moon.
- (obsolete) Container, vessel, something that holds or contains something else.
- (obsolete in general sense) A large contiguous landmass as opposed to its islands, peninsulas, and so forth; mainland. Also specifically, the Old World continent of Europe–Asia–Africa: see the Continent.
Example Sentences
a continent fever
[…] Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune.
Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower.
The carkas with the streame was carried downe, / But th’head fell backeward on the continent.
Word Forms
- continents
Synonyms for continent
Depending on context, synonyms include chaste, celibate.
Antonyms for continent
Common opposites include incontinent.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include chaste, celibate, subcontinent, china, african, mainland.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.