subcontinent

noun

sub·​con·​ti·​nent ˌsəb-ˈkän-tə-nənt 

-ˈkänt-nənt

: a large landmass smaller than a continent

especially : a major subdivision of a continent

the Indian subcontinent

subcontinental

ˌsəb-ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of subcontinent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My company specializes in cross-border remittance in places throughout the Indian subcontinent, northern and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. — Zaki Farooq, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Found across the Indian subcontinent, the common krait possesses powerful neurotoxic venom that interferes with communication between nerves and muscles. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Most famous are the hijras, who traditionally attended weddings, births, and religious ceremonies across the subcontinent, offering blessings and receiving gifts or alms in return. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

The subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan along borders that collectively came to be known as the Radcliffe Line. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subcontinent

• incontinent
• continent

Kids Definition

subcontinent

noun

sub·​con·​ti·​nent ˈsəb-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ənt 

-ˈkänt-nənt, 

-ˌkänt-

: a large area of land smaller than a continent

especially : a major subdivision of a continent

the Indian subcontinent

subcontinental

ˌsəb-ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈent-ᵊl 

adjective