From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcontinentcon‧ti‧nent1 /ˈkɒntɪnənt $ ˈkɑːn-/ ●●○ noun [countable] 1 SGa large mass of land surrounded by sea the continents of Asia and Africa2 → the Continent
Examples from the Corpus
continent• Clearly the object is no actual island or continent, nor a landscape of any kind.• Billions of dollars have been pumped into the continent.• The history of the continents has moved along a repeating loop of rifting, mountain building and then rifting again.• They are mainly seen in pub gardens and street cafes on the continent to offer shade and add colour.• It is not, however, as clear-cut in this country as it is on the continent.• This tremendous outpouring can still be found upon the continents on both sides of the break.• the continent of Australasia• The continents sit on shifting plates that form the outer crust of the Earth; and the oceans fill the spaces in between.• As a species, indeed, it may be in less danger than three other kites which also occur on this continent.continentcontinent2 adjective 1 MI medical able to control your bowels and bladder OPP incontinent2 SYSEX/HAVE SEX WITH old-fashioned able to control your sexual desiresFrom Longman Business Dictionarycontinentcon‧ti‧nent /ˈkɒntənəntˈkɑːn-/ noun [countable]1one of the seven large masses of land in the worldthe continents of Asia and Africa2the Continent British English used to refer to Western Europe not including BritainThere is now greater co-operation with Customs Officers on the Continent.Origin continent1 (1500-1600) Latin continens “continuous area of land”, from continere; → CONTAIN continent2 (1300-1400) Latin present participle of continere; → CONTAIN 