subcontinent
Americannoun
-
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.
-
a large landmass, such as Greenland, that is smaller than any of the usually recognized continents.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subcontinent
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.
Vocabulary lists containing subcontinent
South Asia - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
South Asia - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Early Civilizations of India, Lessons 1–4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
DIA’s brief to Congress didn’t mention the group on the Indian subcontinent at all.
From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026
Energy-rich Turkmenistan, one of the world's most reclusive and sealed-off states, has stated its desire to diversify its exports towards Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026
After they crashed out of a chaotic 1996 World Cup on the subcontinent, Smith's England career was over at the age of 32.
From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025
But then a quarter of a billion people, a whole subcontinent, rallied behind Gandhi—and they twisted the British lion’s tail!
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
