conterminous united states: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Technical (Geography, Government, History)
Quick answer
What does “conterminous united states” mean?
The 48 states of the United States that are located on the North American continent and share common borders, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The 48 states of the United States that are located on the North American continent and share common borders, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
A geographical and political term referring to the contiguous, mainland portion of the United States, often contrasted with its non-contiguous states and territories.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term is rarely used outside of formal, academic contexts discussing U.S. geography. In American English, it is a standard technical term in government, cartography, and academia. The informal American term "lower 48" is not used in British English.
Connotations
In American usage, it is a neutral, precise descriptor. In British usage, it is a learned, specific term with a formal connotation.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general British English; moderate frequency in specific American technical domains.
Grammar
How to Use “conterminous united states” in a Sentence
The {study/map/data} covers the conterminous United States.This service is available only in the conterminous United States.A comparison between Alaska and the conterminous United States.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conterminous united states” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The conterminous United States boundary was established by treaty.
- This species is found only in the conterminous United States region.
American English
- The conterminous U.S. land area is over 3 million square miles.
- Fires spread rapidly across the conterminous United States last summer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our standard delivery rates apply only to the conterminous United States."
Academic
"The study analyzed precipitation patterns across the conterminous United States over a fifty-year period."
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; "the lower 48" or "the mainland states" are more common.
Technical
"The survey dataset is gridded for the conterminous United States at a 1-km resolution."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conterminous united states”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conterminous united states”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conterminous united states”
- Using 'continental United States' without clarification, as it may include Alaska.
- Spelling 'conterminous' as 'coterminous' (coterminous is a related but more general adjective).
- Using the term in informal contexts where 'lower 48' or 'the mainland' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Continental United States' is ambiguous and can sometimes include Alaska, as it is on the North American continent. 'Conterminous United States' or 'contiguous United States' precisely means the 48 adjoining states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
No, 'lower 48' is a common, informal term and is not considered offensive. However, in formal, academic, or government writing, 'conterminous' or 'contiguous United States' is preferred.
They are essentially synonyms in this context. 'Conterminous' is slightly more formal and emphasizes sharing a common boundary, which is the precise geographical relationship of these 48 states.
Yes, 'United States' is a proper noun and is always capitalised. The phrase is typically written as 'the conterminous United States'.
The 48 states of the United States that are located on the North American continent and share common borders, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Conterminous united states is usually formal, academic, technical (geography, government, history) in register.
Conterminous united states: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtɜː.mɪ.nəs juːˈnaɪ.tɪd steɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtɝː.mə.nəs juːˈnaɪ.ɾɪd steɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From sea to shining sea (poetic, refers to the conterminous U.S.)”
- “Coast to coast”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CONterminous = CONnected + TERritories; think of the 48 states all CONnected by land TERritories.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY OF THE NATION (The conterminous U.S. as the core, contiguous body, with Alaska and Hawaii as detached limbs or outposts).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct synonym for 'conterminous United States' in a formal American English context?