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continent1

Syllabification: (con·ti·nent)
Pronunciation: /ˈkäntnənt/

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Definition of continent

noun

  • any of the world’s main continuous expanses of land (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America).
  • (also the Continent) the mainland of Europe as distinct from the British Isles.
  • a mainland contrasted with islands:the maritime zone is richer in varieties of plant than the continent

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting a continuous tract of land): from Latin terra continens 'continuous land'

Remember that continent ends with -ent. It is often spelled with a capital C when referring to Europe (clubs sprang up in Britain and on the Continent).

continent in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of continent in the British & World English dictionary