continent
[ kon-tn-uhnt ]
/ ˈkɒn tn ənt /
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noun
adjective
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of continent
OTHER WORDS FROM continent
un·con·ti·nent, adjectiveun·con·ti·nent·ly, adverbWords nearby continent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for continent
British Dictionary definitions for continent (1 of 3)
continent1
/ (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), adjectivecontinentally, 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)
continent2
/ (ˈkɒntɪnənt) /
adjective
able to control urination and defecation
exercising self-restraint, esp from sexual activity; chaste
Derived forms of continent
continence or continency, nouncontinently, 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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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