# intercontinental

/ˌɪntɝˌkɑntəˈnɛntəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɪntəkˌɒntɪnˈɛntəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/intercontinental
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

connecting or traveling between two or more continents. You use this to describe things like very long flights or large business deals.

For teachers: relating to or connecting two or more continents. Typically used attributively to describe travel, communication, or physical infrastructure spanning vast geographic distances.

## Examples

- The airline offers several intercontinental flights every day.
- The new intercontinental trade agreement aims to reduce tariffs between European and South American markets.
- The development of intercontinental ballistic missiles fundamentally altered the landscape of global diplomacy by making distance an insufficient defense against rapid military strikes.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.