A subcontinent is part of a larger continent, made up of a number of countries that form a large mass of land. The subcontinent is often used to refer to the area that contains India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
subcontinent in British English
(sʌbˈkɒntɪnənt)
noun
a large land mass that is a distinct part of a continent, such as India is of Asia
Derived forms
subcontinental (ˌsʌbkɒntɪˈnɛntəl)
adjective
subcontinent in American English
(ˈsʌbˌkɑntənənt)
noun
a large land mass, smaller than that usually called a continent; often, a subdivision of a continent, regarded as a geographic or political entity
Examples of 'subcontinent' in a sentence
subcontinent
An Australian with fond memories of the subcontinent also played his part.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
More pressing is the immigration from the Indian subcontinent.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
More than half were from the Indian subcontinent and Africa.
The Sun (2010)
Tonight, she goes on a journey to show how regional flavours of the Indian subcontinent can be found up and down the country.