Proper noun
(US, geography) The portion of the United States which is located on the North American continent; the United States exclusive of Hawaii and other overseas territories.
Synonym: continental US
(US, geography, colloquial) The largest portion of the United States which is not separated by any ocean or non-U.S. land; the United States exclusive of Alaska, Hawaii, and other overseas territories.
Synonyms: conterminous United States, contiguous United States, contiguous 48, lower 48
The time has come when we must proceed with the business of carrying the war to the enemy, not permitting the greater portion of our armed forces and our valuable material to be immobilized within the continental United States. George C. Marshall
The entire North Polar ice cap is disappearing before our very eyes. It's been the size of the continental United States for the last 3 million years and now 40 percent is gone and the rest of it is going. Al Gore