subcontinent

[suhb-kon-tn-uh nt, suhb-kon-]

noun

a large, relatively self-contained landmass forming a subdivision of a continent: the subcontinent of India.
a large landmass, as Greenland, that is smaller than any of the usually recognized continents.

Origin of subcontinent

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + continent

Related formssub·con·ti·nen·tal

[suhb-kon-tn-en-tl] /ˌsʌb kɒn tnˈɛn tl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for subcontinent

Contemporary Examples of subcontinent

He too, it is clear, wants to end the cold war in the subcontinent.
Indian and Pakistani Leaders Seek to End Their Cold War, but Will the ‘Deep State’ Allow Peace?
Bruce Riedel
May 26, 2014
Coca-Cola was back on the subcontinent after 20 years away.
Farewell to Manmohan Singh, India’s Puppet Prime Minister
Kapil Komireddi
January 5, 2014
“Badmashi” means a “goon” in the Urdu and Hindi parlance of the subcontinent.
Perry Has a Point About the Marines Video vs. the Daniel Pearl Video
Asra Q. Nomani
January 19, 2012
The confidence of the "Gupta effect"—the breaking of the ethnic ceiling—was keenly felt in the subcontinent.
India’s Finance Stars Feel a Chill
Manjeet Kripalani, Neelam Deo
November 9, 2011
Even worse, a crisis in the subcontinent could lead to a nuclear war in South Asia.
Marc Grossman Inherits the Worst Job in the World
Bruce Riedel
February 15, 2011

British Dictionary definitions for subcontinent

subcontinent

noun

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

Derived Formssubcontinental (ˌsʌbkɒntɪˈnɛntəl), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subcontinent

1863, from sub- + continent (n.).