con·ti·nent 1 
(kŏntə-nənt)
(kŏntə-nənt)n.
1. One of the principal land masses of the earth, usually regarded as including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
2. Continent The mainland of Europe. Used with the.
[Latin (terra) continēns, continent-, continuous (land), present participle of continēre, to hold together; see CONTAIN.]