continental

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adjective con·ti·nen·tal \ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-t^əl\

Definition of continental

1a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent continental waters; specifically, often capitalized : of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Islesb often capitalized : of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and especially France
2a often capitalized : of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S. Continental Congressb : being the part of the U.S. on the North American continent; also : being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states

continentally

play \ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tə-lē\ adverb

See continental defined for English-language learners

See continental defined for kids

Examples of continental in a Sentence

They will be touring Continental Europe.
differences between Britain and its Continental neighbors
The hotel combines American comfort with continental elegance.

Recent Examples of continental from the Web

The stakes have risen for the U.S. president after North Korea’s first successful test July 4 of an intercontinental ballistic missile that analysts say could reach Alaska, if not continental America.

— kanga kong, Bloomberg.com, "Moon Seeks 2020 Deal for Peace With Nuclear-Free North Korea," 19 July 2017
In 1918, another solar eclipse also crossed the entire continental U.S.

— eric adler, kansascity, "Why the mania over August’s solar eclipse? There hasn’t been one like it since 1778.," 14 July 2017
Chiuri enlisted Italian artist Pietro Ruffo to design a set inspired by trans-continental travel.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Dior Couture Is Filled With Map Prints, Flight Suits, and Tons of Gray Gowns," 3 July 2017
Before railroads connected the Southernmost Point of the continental United States with the rest of Florida, Key West served more as a Cuban outpost, and in the late 19th century boasted a population of 12,000 Cuban exiles.

— steve rothaus, miamiherald, "South Florida LGBTQ activists plan art-centered Key West to Cuba Festival," 30 June 2017
Stretching 90 miles along the jagged western edge of the continental United States, Big Sur has long exercised a magnetic pull on people drawn to its dazzling landscape.

— sarah feldberg, Smithsonian, "Despite Road-closing Landslides, You Can Still Take a Big Sur Road Trip This Year — Here’s How," 30 June 2017
The first was President Dwight Eisenhower, who championed the notion of continental superhighways before signing, in 1956, the law that authorized the Interstate Highway System.

— joel engel, WSJ, "California’s Rise and Fall, From One Gov. Brown to Another," 30 June 2017
The unprotected categories include social class, occupation, continental origin, political ideology, appearance, religion, age, or country.

— brian feldman, The Cut, "Facebook’s Training Documents: ‘We Protect White Men’," 28 June 2017
There are four sessions, starting at 9 a.m. Registration and a continental breakfast are at 8 a.m. Lunch is from noon to 12:45 p.m. The final session ends at 3:45 p.m. The registration fee is $125 per person.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Regional Digest: UConn Lands 3 Wide Receivers," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'continental.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of continental

1755

continental

noun con·ti·nen·tal

Definition of continental

1a often capitalized : an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental armyb (1) : a piece of Continental paper currency (2) : the least bit not worth a continental
2 : an inhabitant of a continent and especially the continent of Europe

See continental defined for English-language learners

Examples of continental in a Sentence

complained that today's youth doesn't care a continental about their elders

Recent Examples of continental from the Web

For her next challenge Pillinger, who still commutes 26 miles by bike every day from her home in St Albans into London, will compete in the trans-continental -- a 1,790-mile race from Belgium to Greece.

— chris murphy, CNN, "Is this the world's toughest bike race?," 13 June 2017
Salisbury 7, Hamilton 5: The host Sea Gulls ended the game on a 6-0 run to rally past the Continentals in an NCAA Division III second-round game.

— baltimoresun.com, "Lacrosse roundup (May 14): USC women stun No. 3 seed Florida in second round," 14 May 2017
Waters of the Atlantic continental shelf also support whales, swordfish, bluefin tuna, sea turtles and businesses heavily dependent on the health of the ocean ecosystem, according to the lawsuit.

— Washington Post, "Groups sue to stop Trump from renewing offshore drilling," 3 May 2017

First Known Use of continental

1777

CONTINENTAL Defined for English Language Learners

continental

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adjective

Definition of continental for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or located on a continent
Continental : of or relating to the countries of Europe except for Great Britain and Ireland
: characteristic of Europe

continental

noun

Definition of continental for English Language Learners

: a person from Continental Europe

CONTINENTAL Defined for Kids

continental

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adjective con·ti·nen·tal \ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-t^əl\

Definition of continental for Students

1 : being the mainland part and not including islands the continental United States
2 often cap : of the colonies later forming the United States the Continental Army