continent
[ kon-tn-uh nt ]
/ ˈkɒn tn ənt /
noun
adjective
Origin of continent
OTHER WORDS FROM continent
un·con·ti·nent, adjective un·con·ti·nent·ly, adverbWords nearby continent
Example sentences from the Web for continent
British Dictionary definitions for continent (1 of 3)
continent
1
/ (ˈkɒntɪnənt) /
noun
one of the earth's large land masses (Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and Antarctica)
that part of the earth's crust that rises above the oceans and is composed of sialic rocks. Including the continental shelves, the continents occupy 30 per cent of the earth's surface
obsolete
- mainland as opposed to islands
- a continuous extent of land
Derived forms of continent
continental (ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəl), adjective continentally, adverbWord Origin for continent
C16: from the Latin phrase
terra continens continuous land, from
continēre; see
contain
British Dictionary definitions for continent (2 of 3)
continent
2
/ (ˈkɒntɪnənt) /
adjective
able to control urination and defecation
exercising self-restraint, esp from sexual activity; chaste
Derived forms of continent
continence or continency, noun continently, adverbWord Origin for continent
C14: from Latin
continent-, present participle of
continēre; see
contain
British Dictionary definitions for continent (3 of 3)
Continent
/ (ˈkɒntɪnənt) /
noun
the Continent
the mainland of Europe as distinguished from the British Isles
Scientific definitions for continent
continent
[ kŏn′tə-nənt ]
One of the seven great landmasses of the Earth. The continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.