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

Cricket's calendar now turns away from the subcontinent, with the next 50-over World Cup to be played in across Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa in 2027.

From BBC

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

After finishing the ugly job assigned to him, Cyril Radcliffe burned all his papers, refused his handsome fee of 40,000 rupees and fled the subcontinent.

From The Wall Street Journal

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