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

• subcontinental adjective

Etymology

Origin of subcontinent

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + continent

Example Sentences

"Within three hours flying time of the Gulf, you have the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, verging on China. It's a huge market," explains James Hogan, a former chief executive of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Audrey Truschke’s single-volume work makes a bold attempt to capture thousands of years of cultural ferment on the Indian subcontinent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 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

Many H-1B applicants are bright Indian students who have not found employment in the subcontinent worthy of their education, and often do not have the means to turn over such heaping visa sums.

From Slate • Sep. 23, 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