intercontinental

adjective

in·​ter·​con·​ti·​nen·​tal ˌin-tər-ˌkän-tə-ˈnen-tᵊl How to pronounce intercontinental (audio)
Synonyms of intercontinentalnext
1
: extending among continents or carried on between continents
2
: capable of traveling between continents
intercontinental ballistic missile

Examples of intercontinental in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hussein spearheaded that push by scoring in five of his team’s 10 qualifying matches, including the game-winner against Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026 In effect, the Tu-160 functions as a high-speed airborne missile truck capable of delivering large numbers of long-range precision weapons across intercontinental distances. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026 For Europe-originating intercontinental connecting traffic, flights via Istanbul have a detour factor of less than 13% compared with direct point-to-point flights. — Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 The Pony Express is remembered for its speed of its service, its 24-hour relay of riders, and as the fastest route of communication between the East and West until the arrival of the intercontinental telegraph. — Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for intercontinental

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intercontinental was circa 1855

Rhymes for intercontinental

See All Rhymes for intercontinental

Browse Nearby Words

interconsonantal
intercontinental
interconversion
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intercontinental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intercontinental. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intercontinental

adjective
in·​ter·​con·​ti·​nen·​tal ˌint-ər-ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈent-ᵊl How to pronounce intercontinental (audio)
1
: extending among or carried on between continents
intercontinental trade
2
: capable of traveling from one continent to another
an intercontinental ballistic missile

More from Merriam-Webster on intercontinental

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intercontinental

Nglish: Translation of intercontinental for Spanish Speakers

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