contiguous

[ kuhn-tig-yoo-uhs ]

adjective

1. touching; in contact.

   Synonyms: adjoining

2. in close proximity without actually touching; near.

   Synonyms: adjacent

3. adjacent in time:

   contiguous events.

contiguous

/ kənˈtɪɡjʊəs; ˌkɒntɪˈɡjuːɪtɪ /

adjective

1. touching along the side or boundary; in contact
2. physically adjacent; neighbouring
3. preceding or following in time

Derived Forms

• contiguity, noun
• conˈtiguously, adverb

Other Words From

• con·tigu·ous·ly adverb
• con·tigu·ous·ness noun
• noncon·tigu·ous adjective
• noncon·tigu·ous·ly adverb
• noncon·tigu·ous·ness noun
• uncon·tigu·ous adjective
• uncon·tigu·ous·ly adverb
• uncon·tigu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin contiguus “touching, bordering upon,“ equivalent to prefix con- “with, together” + tig- (variant stem of -tingere, combining form of tangere “to touch”) + -uus adjective suffix; con-, tangent, contingent, contact; -ous, continuous

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

C17: from Latin contiguus, from contingere to touch; see contact

Example Sentences

Specifically, it cut requirements that members be elected in single districts and that those districts be contiguous and compact, serving relatively equal-sized populations.

From FiveThirtyEight

Early estimates indicate that most of the contiguous United States will see highs running 10 to 15 degrees above average.

From Washington Post

You have a patchwork idea of what the country is, as opposed to a contiguous changing of the map.

From Outside Online

The commission is tasked with drawing City Council districts that are made of contiguous territory, made equal in population based on Census reports and as geographically compact as possible.

From Voice of San Diego

NOAA’s new climate normal, the period from 1991 to 2020, shows that average temperatures in the contiguous United States increased across most of the country compared with the averages from 1981 to 2010.

From Science News

Since the U.S. Constitution mandates that states be contiguous, Moffat County would just sign up with Wyoming.

From The Daily Beast

The Award is limited to Delta Airlines destinations within the 48 contiguous US states and Canada.

From The Daily Beast

Even the accepted US formula for two states: “a secure Israel alongside a viable, contiguous Palestine” is humiliating.

From The Daily Beast

There are only 22 million people in an area about the size of the contiguous 48 States of the United States.

From The Daily Beast

There are only 22 million people in Australia—an area about the size of the contiguous 48 States of the United States.

From The Daily Beast

In these whirlings great differences in atmospheric pressure are brought about in contiguous areas of sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a kingdom, had it been contiguous to Provence, would indeed have been a most formidable addition to the French monarchy.

From Project Gutenberg

The high altar is very choice and beautiful; and the contiguous decorations are profuse and exquisite.

From Project Gutenberg

As the regiments landed, the brigades were formed in contiguous columns at quarter distance.

From Project Gutenberg

This is Carver's version, who, however, confounds it with another contiguous island.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjoining
• neighboring