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

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

The lack of martial vigor rings especially true of the other groups, the seemingly disbanded Hurras al-Din in Syria and al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

The State Department said Thursday it has designated TTP and al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2022

The Indian Subcontinent is also home to the fastest growing air freight markets, with traffic to or from both China and the United States expected to grow by at least 7.3% a year.

From Reuters • Jul. 11, 2022

“A good book. Recently Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent by Pranay Lal and In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides. It’s very depressing, but it’s very good.”

From The Guardian • Oct. 17, 2021

Members all three communities constituting next cradle Faith second stronghold its institutions Asiatic continent distinguished record services His Cause extending three quarters century called upon enrich considerably coming decade annals Faith Indian Subcontinent Burma.

From Dawn of a New Day by Shoghi Effendi