Continent

/ˈkɒntɪnənt/ · noun

Meaning

(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..

Definitions by Sense

1. (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.
2. (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.
3. (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.
4. (figurative) A large connected expanse of something in general.
5. (obsolete) Any continuous tract or area of land; country, connected region.
6. (obsolete) Land (as opposed to the water), dry land.
7. (obsolete) The body or mass of a celestial body such as the sun or moon.
8. (obsolete) Container, vessel, something that holds or contains something else.

Example Sentences

But I should turn mine ears and hear The moanings of the homeless sea, ⁠The sound of streams that swift or slow ⁠Draw down Æonian hills, and sow The dust of continents to be; […]

No man is an Iland, intire of it ſelfe; euery man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; […]

The carkas with the streame was carried downe, / But th’head fell backeward on the continent.

[…] Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune.

Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower.

Their strength was the strength of men geographically beyond temptation: the poverty of Arabia made them simple, continent, enduring.

A celibate himself, he was of the opinion that marriage was something of a concession to human frailty, to save from fornication those who could not be continent, so it was better to marry than to burn with lust.

a continent fever

Synonyms for continent

Antonyms for continent

Related Words

Word Forms

• continents
• more continent
• most continent

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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