Meanings
- USgeographyThe contiguous continental states area of the United States of America, comprising 48 states in number, and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Synonyms: lower 48, contiguous 48, conterminous United States, continental United States, continental US, CONUS
Synonyms & antonyms
proper nounThe contiguous continental states area of the United States of America, comprising 48 states in number, and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Origin
Translations
Chinese Mandarin (lit)美国连续地区
- (lit)美国连续地区 (Měiguó liánxù dìqū)United States excluding Alaska, Hawaii and other overseas territories
French États-Unis contigus
- États-Unis contigusUnited States excluding Alaska, Hawaii and other overseas territories
Spanish Estados Unidos contiguos
- Estados Unidos contiguosUnited States excluding Alaska, Hawaii and other overseas territories
Cite this entry
contiguous United States. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/contiguous%20United%20States
“contiguous United States.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/contiguous%20United%20States. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “contiguous United States,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/contiguous%20United%20States.
Source: contiguous United States on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.