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continental United States

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Proper noun

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continental United States

  1. (US, geography) The portion of the United States which is located on the North American continent; the United States exclusive of Hawaii and other overseas territories.
    Synonym: continental US
  2. (US, geography, colloquial) The largest portion of the United States which is not separated by any ocean or non-U.S. land; the United States exclusive of Alaska, Hawaii, and other overseas territories.
    Synonyms: conterminous United States, contiguous United States, contiguous 48, lower 48

Usage notes

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While both senses are used in some contexts, the first sense is the more popular interpretation of the phrase.

Synonyms

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Translations

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