continent

The word “continent” means one of the large landmasses of the Earth, such as Africa, Asia, or Europe. In plain terms, most commonly a large landmass like Africa or Asia; less commonly, an adjective meaning "able to control one's bladder/bowels" or "self-restrained.".

“Continent” is pronounced KON-tih-nuhnt (/ˈkɑntɪnənt/ in IPA).

Here is “continent” used in a sentence: “Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth.”

The opposite of “continent” — its antonyms — is incontinent.

Depending on how it is used, “continent” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “continent” comes from Latin. From Latin continens, "holding together, unbroken," the present participle of continēre ("to contain, hold together").

“Continent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Continent” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the large landmasses of the Earth, such as Africa, Asia, or Europe.

The model most commonly taught in English-speaking countries lists seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia (or Oceania), Europe, North America, and South America. Other conventions count six, either combining Europe and Asia into Eurasia or treating the two Americas as one. The number reflects convention rather than a strict geological rule.

A continent is one of the Earth's large landmasses, such as Africa, Asia, or Europe, while a country is a political unit with its own government and borders. A continent normally contains many countries; Australia is unusual in being commonly described as both.

In the widely taught seven-continent model, Australia is counted as the smallest continent rather than the largest island — that title goes to Greenland. Some classifications prefer the broader label Oceania, grouping Australia with New Zealand and the Pacific islands.