con·ti·nen·tal
ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent
continental waters
specifically, often capitalized
: of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles
b
often capitalized
: of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and especially France
2
a
often capitalized
: of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.
Continental Congress
b
: being the part of the U.S. on the North American continent
also
: being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states
1
a
often capitalized
: an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army
b(1)
: a piece of Continental paper currency
(2)
: the least bit
not worth a continental
2
: an inhabitant of a continent and especially the continent of Europe
Synonyms
Examples of continental in a Sentence
Adjective
They will be touring Continental Europe.
differences between Britain and its Continental neighbors
The hotel combines American comfort with continental elegance.
Noun
complained that today's youth doesn't care a continental about their elders
Recent Examples on the Web
Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
South Korea said the missile was designed to strike the continental United States.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
Nicolas Berggruen, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013
The Earth's crust is divided into dozens of plates, some oceanic, some continental, which move on a plastic mantle underneath.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2018
See all Example Sentences for continental 
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Adjective
It is estimated the missile is capable of striking the continental United States.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
South Korea said the missile was designed to strike the continental United States.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
This was the first step in making the United States a continental and, ultimately, global power.
—Nicolas Berggruen, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013
The Earth's crust is divided into dozens of plates, some oceanic, some continental, which move on a plastic mantle underneath.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2018
See all Example Sentences for continental
Dictionary Entries Near continental
Cite this Entry
“Continental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continental. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
continental
1 of 2 adjective
con·ti·nen·tal
ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈent-ᵊl
1
: of or relating to a continent
continental waters
especially, often capitalized
: of or relating to the continent of Europe
2
often capitalized
: of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.
Continental Congress
continental
2 of 2 noun1
a
often capitalized
: a soldier in the Continental army
b
: a piece of paper money issued by the Continental Congress
2
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