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

Analysts have raised the possibility that North Korea’s next-generation Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), its new Hwasong-11 Ma hypersonic glide vehicle, and other advanced weapons systems will be on display. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025

Plus, the two heads of state are locked in an intercontinental bromance. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

Among equipment expected on display will be a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile and a series of hypersonic weapons which can threaten American naval forces in the region, the SCMP reported. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

Boosting global reach Researchers said the goal was to create a new generation of airlifters capable of conducting intercontinental operations without refueling. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 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