subcontinent

[ suhb-kon-tn-uhnt, suhb-kon- ]

/ sʌbˈkɒn tn ənt, ˈsʌbˌkɒn- /

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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.

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Origin of subcontinent

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + continent

OTHER WORDS FROM subcontinent

sub·con·ti·nen·tal

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

Words nearby subcontinent

subcompany, subconscious, subconsciously, subconsciousness, subcontiguous, subcontinent, subcontract, subcontractor, subcontrary, subcortex, subcortical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use subcontinent in a sentence

In tandem, the report said, the monsoon will strengthen over the subcontinent, leading to rain-fed flooding and humid heat stress, a combination of high temperature and moisture.
The IPCC report predicts that South Asia will swing from droughts to floods|Samanth Subramanian|August 9, 2021|Quartz
The opening of the Suez Canal—connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea—revolutionised trade between Europe and India by cutting travel time from England to the subcontinent from more than three months to four or five weeks.
The Suez Canal transformed Mumbai—and its sex trade|Scroll Staff|March 31, 2021|Quartz
This dish, like most on the subcontinent, varies between regions and families.
The Violent Rise of Curry|Shaan Merchant|March 26, 2021|Ozy
Xiaomi also beat Apple to opening up physical stores on the subcontinent.
How Chinese phonemaker Xiaomi conquered India—and outperformed Apple|eamonbarrett|December 3, 2020|Fortune

Sales in the subcontinent, where Xiaomi has been the number one smartphone brand for thirteen quarters, bolstered Xiaomi’s previous position as the world’s fourth largest smartphone company.
China’s Xiaomi becomes Western Europe’s third-largest smartphone seller|eamonbarrett|November 25, 2020|Fortune
That could put the entire subcontinent on the brink of catastrophe.
Indian and Pakistani Leaders Seek to End Their Cold War, but Will the ‘Deep State’ Allow Peace?|Bruce Riedel|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
He seeks the creation of a Muslim caliphate over the entire subcontinent.
Hafiz Saeed, Pakistani Extremist With a $10 Million Price on his Head, Is al Qaeda’s Ally|Bruce Riedel|April 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST
In the great subcontinent of South Asia live more than a sixth of the earth's population.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

British Dictionary definitions for subcontinent

subcontinent

/ (sʌbˈkɒntɪnənt) /

noun

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

Derived forms of subcontinent

subcontinental (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