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 continents
British Dictionary definitions for continents (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 continents (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 continents (3 of 3)
Continent
/ (ˈkɒntɪnənt) /
noun
the Continent
the mainland of Europe as distinguished from the British Isles
Scientific definitions for continents
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.
Cultural definitions for continents
continents
The large parts of the surface of the Earth that rise above sea level. The seven major continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
notes for continents
Continents are made from the lightest rocks in the Earth. Some of these are also the oldest known rocks on Earth, with an age of 3.5 billion years, measured by
radioactive dating.
notes for continents
According to the theory of
plate tectonics, continents move along piggy-back on the
tectonic plates like rafts floating on water.