Plain English Meaning

The lower 48 states plus Washington D.C. — basically the main block of the United States, leaving out Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories.

Full Definition

The 48 adjoining states and the District of Columbia, treated as a single geographic area for air traffic, flight planning, and operational purposes. CONUS does not include Alaska, Hawaii, or any U.S. territories.

Context Anchor

Seen in FAA publications, weather products, procedures, and notices when the area covered is limited to the main connected United States.

Derivation

Short for 'Continental United States.' 'Continental' comes from the Latin continens, meaning 'holding together' — referring to land that forms one connected . That's the clue: CONUS is the connected, contiguous part of the country.