subcontinent

[ suhb-kon-tn-uhnt, suhb-kon- ]

noun

1. a large, relatively self-contained landmass forming a subdivision of a continent:

   The Himalayas arose when what is now the Indian subcontinent collided with the Eurasian Plate during the Cretaceous period.

2. a large landmass, such as Greenland, that is smaller than any of the usually recognized continents.

subcontinent

/ sʌbˈkɒntɪnənt; ˌsʌbkɒntɪˈnɛntəl /

noun

1. a large land mass that is a distinct part of a continent, such as India is of Asia

Derived Forms

• subcontinental, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·con·ti·nen·tal [suhb-kon-tn-, en, -tl], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcontinent¹

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + continent

Example Sentences

In tandem, the report said, the monsoon will strengthen over the subcontinent, leading to rain-fed flooding and humid heat stress, a combination of high temperature and moisture.

From Quartz

The opening of the Suez Canal—connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea—revolutionised trade between Europe and India by cutting travel time from England to the subcontinent from more than three months to four or five weeks.

From Quartz

This dish, like most on the subcontinent, varies between regions and families.

From Ozy

Xiaomi also beat Apple to opening up physical stores on the subcontinent.

From Fortune

Sales in the subcontinent, where Xiaomi has been the number one smartphone brand for thirteen quarters, bolstered Xiaomi’s previous position as the world’s fourth largest smartphone company.

From Fortune

That could put the entire subcontinent on the brink of catastrophe.

From The Daily Beast

He too, it is clear, wants to end the cold war in the subcontinent.

From The Daily Beast

Coca-Cola was back on the subcontinent after 20 years away.

From The Daily Beast

He seeks the creation of a Muslim caliphate over the entire subcontinent.

From The Daily Beast

“Badmashi” means a “goon” in the Urdu and Hindi parlance of the subcontinent.

From The Daily Beast

In the great subcontinent of South Asia live more than a sixth of the earth's population.

From Project Gutenberg