continuity

noun

con·​ti·​nu·​i·​ty ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē 

-ˈnyü-

plural continuities

1

a

: uninterrupted connection, succession, or union

… its disregard of the continuity between means and ends …

—Sidney Hook

b

: uninterrupted duration or continuation especially without essential change

the continuity of the company's management

2

: something that has, exhibits, or provides continuity: such as

a

: a script or scenario in the performing arts

b

: transitional spoken or musical matter especially for a radio or television program

c

: the story and dialogue of a comic strip

3

: the property of being mathematically continuous

Synonyms

• abidance
• ceaselessness
• continuance
• continuation
• continuousness
• durability
• duration
• endurance
• persistence
• subsistence

Examples of continuity in a Sentence

The art historian is studying the continuities between the painter's works and those of her followers.

There's a problem with the movie's continuity.

Recent Examples on the Web

This interview has been edited for length, clarity and continuity. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Under President Harris, that would probably mean continuity with the Biden administration policies that have become much more restrictive over time. —New York Times, 3 Nov. 2024

But whether Miller-Meeks wins reelection will be the caucus’s first big test of continuity in its post-Biden — and post-Curtis — era. —Zack Budryk, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Investors should expect more continuity as the Fed continues to cut rates into a slowing economy. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English continuite, borrowed from Anglo-French continuité, borrowed from Latin continuitāt-, continuitās, from continuus continuous + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

continuity

noun

con·​ti·​nu·​ity

ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈ(y)ü-ət-ē

plural continuities

1

: the quality or state of being continuous

2

: something that has or provides continuity

Medical Definition

continuity

noun

con·​ti·​nu·​ity ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈ(y)ü-ət-ē 

plural continuities

: uninterrupted connection, succession, or union