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

The truth of those words is manifest in the myriad structures from the Mughal era (1526–1857) that have survived for centuries after the fall of the empire, which at its height stretched across nearly the entire Indian subcontinent. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2026

Bhosle’s reach extended well beyond the subcontinent. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026

Silicon Valley is home to scores of restaurants with roots on the Indian subcontinent. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

Parsis, who practice Zoroastrianism, migrated from Persia to the Indian subcontinent between the 8th and 10th centuries. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 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