Continent has 8 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Adjective · Proper Noun
one of the large landmasses of the earth
"there are seven continents"
"pioneers had to cross the continent on foot"
the European mainland
"Englishmen like to visit the Continent but they wouldn't like to live there"
Each of the main continuous land-masses on the earth's surface, now generally regarded as seven in number, including their related islands, continental shelves etc.
"The ancient monk was known as a continent, adhering strictly to the Encratite belief in total abstinence from marriage and meat."
An Encratite.
In plain English: A continent is one of the seven huge continuous landmasses on Earth that are separated by oceans.
"Africa is the third-largest continent on Earth."
Usage: Use "continent" when referring to major landmasses like Africa or Asia, but choose the adjective form only for describing someone who exercises self-control over their impulses. Avoid confusing this noun with similar-sounding words by remembering it specifically denotes large geographical areas rather than smaller regions or countries.
having control over urination and defecation
"The toddler is finally continent, no longer needing diapers during the day."
Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or defecation.
"After months of travel without finding a bathroom, he was finally able to use the facilities in his hotel room while remaining continent throughout the long flight."
"The continent has finally reached an agreement on trade policies."
The Old World.
"The explorers sailed west across the Atlantic, hoping to find a new route to the Indies without crossing into the Americas."
The word comes from the Latin continens, which is a form of the verb meaning "to contain." Originally, it referred to something that holds or keeps things within its bounds.