lower 48

American  

[loh-er fawr-tee-eyt] / ˈloʊ ər ˈfɔr tiˈeɪt /

Or Lower 48

noun

Informal.

1. the conterminous United States.

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Etymology

Origin of lower 48

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

“The economics of exploration and mining in Greenland are significantly worse than even Alaska or the Lower 48,” said Derek Macpherson, chief executive of West Point Gold, a Vancouver, British Columbia, mining exploration company with operations across North America.

From The Wall Street Journal

Long-suffering Golden State power customers already pay the highest electricity rates in the lower 48 states.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fish and Wildlife Service delisted most wolves in the Lower 48.

From Los Angeles Times

Even seeing a grizzly bear is pretty uncommon in the lower 48 states.

From Los Angeles Times

MacLeod was jammed against a potbellied stove with a metal chimney that stuck out through the roof, making it the highest point in the Lower 48 states.

From Los Angeles Times