contiguous

[kuhn-tig-yoo-uhs]

adjective

1. touching; in contact.

   Synonyms: adjoining

2. in close proximity without actually touching; near.

   Synonyms: adjacent

3. adjacent in time.

   contiguous events.

contiguous

/ kənˈtɪɡjʊəs, ˌkɒntɪˈɡjuːɪtɪ /

adjective

1. touching along the side or boundary; in contact

2. physically adjacent; neighbouring

3. preceding or following in time

Other Word Forms

• contiguity noun
• contiguously adverb
• contiguousness noun
• noncontiguous adjective
• noncontiguously adverb
• noncontiguousness noun
• uncontiguous adjective
• uncontiguously adverb
• uncontiguousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin contiguus “touching, bordering upon,“ equivalent to prefix con- “with, together” + tig- (variant stem of -tingere, combining form of tangere “to touch”) + -uus adjective suffix; con-, tangent, contingent, contact; -ous, continuous

Word History and Origins

Origin of contiguous¹

C17: from Latin contiguus, from contingere to touch; see _contact

Example Sentences

Critics warn it would put an end to hopes for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state.

From BBC

California is home to roughly 60,000 black bears, the highest population estimate for anywhere in the contiguous U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s the highest population estimate for anywhere in the contiguous U.S., although the report also suggests that California’s bear population has been stable for the last decade.

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers will bring 10 of those back to the contiguous U.S., and five will go to the Golden State.

From Los Angeles Times

City leaders want to overhaul the Convention Center because its two structures, the South Hall and the West Hall, do not offer the contiguous space that top-tier conventions require.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjoining 
• neighboring