WordGarden.iocontiguous
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kəntˈɪɡjuːəs/
US
- /kənˈtɪɡjuəs/
Meanings
Adjective
touching, neighboring, or forming an unbroken area or sequence
stored or arranged in consecutive memory or data locations
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO bricks—if the bricks are contiguous, they're all touching each other, forming one solid structure. It means sharing a border or being in direct physical contact. You might describe states on a map as contiguous if they share a boundary line, or row houses on a city block as contiguous because they share side walls. Think of it like pieces lined up with no spaces between them.
The word often pops up when talking about land and areas. You can also use it for things in a sequence. For example, a writer might describe the contiguous chapters of a novel—chapters that come right next to each other (like chapters 3 and 4), not chapters separated by several others. It's all about closeness and direct connection.
To say something is contiguous means it's touching, bordering, or connected—not just near, but directly adjacent. The word comes from the Latin contigere, meaning "to touch." Think of a map of the United States: Texas is contiguous with Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana because they share borders. However, Texas isn't contiguous with California; there are several states in between!
This concept extends beyond geography. People sometimes talk about the "contiguous United States," meaning the connected 48 states (not Alaska and Hawaii). In computer science, contiguous memory refers to blocks of data stored right next to each other in the system's memory—a more efficient way for the system to access information. In geology, contiguous plates refer to tectonic plates that are touching and interacting at their boundaries.
You might also use the term figuratively. A historian could describe two historical periods as contiguous if they followed directly after one another with clear, unbroken connections. Or an architect might design contiguous rooms in a house, creating a sense of flow and openness by ensuring they are physically joined.
While not used in everyday conversation as often as phrases like "next to" or "connected," contiguous adds precision when you need to emphasize direct adjacency and an unbroken link. It's about more than just proximity; it's about shared boundaries and seamless transitions.
Examples
- 1
Hotel rooms
The hotel gave us two contiguous rooms so the kids could stay close to us.
- 2
U.S. geography
Most road trips across the contiguous United States do not include Alaska or Hawaii.
- Phrasethe contiguous United States
the 48 states that are connected to each other
- 3
Wildfire spread
The fire moved quickly through a contiguous stretch of dry forest.
- 4
Voting districts
On the map, the voting districts must form one contiguous area.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Farm land
The smaller field is not contiguous with the rest of the farm.
- Patterncontiguous with + place/area
directly next to and connected to it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- contiguous states
- contiguous properties
- contiguous area
Word family
- contiguity
- noncontiguous
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- contiguousadjective