intercontinental

adjective

in·​ter·​con·​ti·​nen·​tal ˌin-tər-ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl 

1

: extending among continents or carried on between continents

2

: capable of traveling between continents

intercontinental ballistic missile

Examples of intercontinental in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Much of the funding will go toward America's triad of nuclear-armed bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and nuclear submarines whose replacements are centerpieces of a broader $1.7 trillion nuclear modernization effort. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 3 July 2025

While Beijing has never disclosed the size of its nuclear arsenal, Chinese leader Xi Jinping last year ordered the acceleration of strategic deterrence force development, as the military conducted a rare test launch of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

Venezuela, with 18, is one ahead of Bolivia in the contest for seventh place that grants an intercontinental playoff berth. —Mauricio Savarese, Baltimore Sun, 11 June 2025

The Chinese military launches an intercontinental ballistic missile over international waters in the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 2024. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for intercontinental

• interdepartmental
• intergovernmental
• intragovernmental
• nonexperimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental

Kids Definition

intercontinental

adjective

in·​ter·​con·​ti·​nen·​tal ˌint-ər-ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈent-ᵊl 

1

: extending among or carried on between continents

intercontinental trade

2

: capable of traveling from one continent to another

an intercontinental ballistic missile