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

If air pollution in India were to be reduced, heat and humidity could actually increase on the subcontinent, as currently the particulate matter is reflecting some of the sun’s rays into space. —Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

There's rumored to be a second one among Greenland's approximately 6,500 cars for an island that's about half the size of the Indian subcontinent and has fewer than 60 miles of road and just three traffic lights. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 6 July 2025

Just a few minutes in such excited company reinforced why cricket is considered a religion to Indians, on the subcontinent and beyond. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 June 2025

Photo: Getty Images Across the subcontinent, turmeric shapeshifts with geography and language, but never loses its purpose. —Sara Hussain, Vogue, 22 May 2025

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