continental United States

[ kon-tn-en-tl yoo-nahy-tid steyts ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. an official designation for the 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, that are located on the continent of North America, which does not include the state of Hawaii. Compare conterminous United States ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of continental United States¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Cynthia Smith, an Army spokesperson, said Black signed out for his move back home and, “instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, Republic of Korea, through China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons.”

From Seattle Times

And increasingly, these diseases threaten Americans within the continental United States.

From Salon

A huge surge in interest in Hawaiian culture after World War II brought many Hawaiians to the continental United States, many of whom were musicians who moved to areas with strong music industry ties, including Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Typically confined to polar regions, the aurora borealis is making an appearance in the continental United States this weekend thanks to an unusually strong solar storm.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Smith, Black signed out for his move back home and, “instead of returning to the continental United States, Black flew from Incheon, Republic of Korea, through China to Vladivostok, Russia, for personal reasons.”

From Seattle Times