subcontinent

American  

[suhb-kon-tn-uhnt, suhb-kon-] / sʌbˈkɒn tn ənt, ˈsʌbˌkɒn- /

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.

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subcontinent British  

/ ˌsʌbkɒntɪˈnɛntəl, sʌbˈkɒntɪnənt /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subcontinental
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of subcontinent

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + continent

Explanation

A large and distinct section of a continent can be called a subcontinent. Many subcontinents are separated from the rest of a continent by geographical features. One of the most well-known subcontinents is the Indian subcontinent, which was once the country of India, but today includes Pakistan and Bangladesh. This area makes up a large section of Asia, in the form of a long peninsula that sits on a separate tectonic plate from the rest of the continent. Alaska is another subcontinent, geographically separate from the rest of North America.

Example Sentences

While it belonged to the extinct madtsoiidae family, researchers say it represents a unique lineage that originated on the Indian subcontinent.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026

The Indian subcontinent already uses more mobile data per smartphone than any other region globally, according to a November report from telecom firm Ericsson.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

The naan travelled to the Indian subcontinent with the Sultans who ruled large parts of the subcontinent between the 13th and 16th Centuries.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

The Pamir -- "a very special place... the roof of the world" -- particularly fascinates scientists, Stocker said, because it is a climatic crossroads, redirecting moist air from Europe towards the Indian subcontinent.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

Some argued that although it was popularly assumed that tigers lived in Africa, this was a myth and they were native to Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela