continent

1 of 2

noun

con·ti·nent ˈkän-tə-nənt

ˈkänt-nənt

Synonyms of continent next

: one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe

capitalized : the continent of Europe

—used with the

: mainland

archaic : container, confines

archaic : epitome

continent

2 of 2

adjective

con·ti·nent ˈkän-tə-nənt

: exercising continence

Most children are continent by the age of three.

obsolete : restrictive

continently adverb

Examples of continent in a Sentence

Noun The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent. Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent. Adjective Most children are continent by age three. a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Additionally, physical risks such as accidental or intentional cable cuts, like those caused by ships, can disrupt communication for entire continents. —

David Joosten, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 While our ancestors were forcibly separated from the African continent, their connection with the land remained through their culture and cooking traditions. —

Essence, 25 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The cross-continent trek for Rye Riptides, which students and now-retired Rye Junior High School science teacher Sheila Adams stuffed with photos of the Rye students, a facemask with their signatures on it, fall leaves, acorns and state quarters, was conducted with the help of Educational Passages. —

Ian Lenahan, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2022 The totem pole was carved by members of the Lummi Nation and is being transported from their home in Washington state to Washington, D.C., as part of a 15-day, cross-continent journey to advocate for the protection of sacred places and the expansion of tribal sovereignty rights. —

Zak Podmore, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 July 2021 See all Example Sentences for continent

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

Note: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective

Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain

First Known Use

Noun

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of continent was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Continent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continent. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

continent

noun

con·ti·nent

ˈkänt-ᵊn-ənt,

ˈkänt-nənt

: one of the great divisions of land (as North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or Antarctica) on the globe

capitalized : the continent of Europe

Medical Definition

continent

adjective

con·ti·nent ˈkänt-ᵊn-ənt

: exercising continence

continently adverb

Last Updated: 30 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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continent

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of continent in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near continent

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition