contiguous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite very close or connected in space or time
    immediate.
    • contiguous events
    • immediate contact
    • the immediate vicinity
    • the immediate past
  2. adjective satellite connecting without a break; within a common boundary
    conterminous.
    • the 48 conterminous states
    • the contiguous 48 states
  3. adjective satellite having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching; Massachusetts and Conncecticut"
    neighboring; conterminous; adjacent.
    • Rhode Island has two bordering states
    • the side of Germany conterminous with France
    • Utah and the contiguous state of Idaho
    • neighboring cities

WordNet

Con*tig"u*ous adjective
Etymology
L. contiguus; akin to contigere to touch on all sides. See Contingent.
Definitions
  1. In actual contact; touching; also, adjacent; near; neighboring; adjoining.
    The two halves of the paper did not appear fully divided . . . but seemed contiguous at one of their angles. Sir I. Newton.
    Sees no contiguous palace rear its head. Goldsmith.
    Syn. -- Adjoining; adjacent. See Adjacent. - Con*tig"u*ous*ly, adv. -- Con*tig"u*ous*ness, n.

Webster 1913