contiguous

[kuhn-tig-yoo-uhs]

adjective

1. touching; in contact.

   Synonyms: adjoining

2. in close proximity without actually touching; near.

   Synonyms: adjacent

3. adjacent in time.

   contiguous events.

contiguous

/ kənˈtɪɡjʊəs, ˌkɒntɪˈɡjuːɪtɪ /

adjective

1. touching along the side or boundary; in contact

2. physically adjacent; neighbouring

3. preceding or following in time

Other Word Forms

• contiguously adverb
• contiguousness noun
• noncontiguous adjective
• noncontiguously adverb
• noncontiguousness noun
• uncontiguous adjective
• uncontiguously adverb
• uncontiguousness noun
• contiguity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin contiguus “touching, bordering upon,“ equivalent to prefix con- “with, together” + tig- (variant stem of -tingere, combining form of tangere “to touch”) + -uus adjective suffix; con-, tangent, contingent, contact; -ous, continuous

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

C17: from Latin contiguus, from contingere to touch; see _contact

Example Sentences

The stripe-tailed mammals, also nicknamed "backyard bandits", are widespread across the contiguous US.

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After all, since Dutton is the patriarch of the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States, he may as well be the entire region’s big daddy.

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Policing a forest almost as large as the contiguous U.S. is nearly impossible.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The panel of 14 citizens works to create districts for state lawmakers and for members of Congress that are contiguous and roughly equal in population.

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E1 would cut any Palestinian link to East Jerusalem — where Palestinians hope to make their capital — and torpedo any chance of a contiguous Palestinian state.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjoining 
• neighboring