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

The platform’s robust offline capability ensures uninterrupted operations, even in disconnected scenarios, empowering industries to maintain continuity and meet stringent regulatory requirements. —Janakiram Msv, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Although the deal was revealed just three weeks after execs floated it during an earnings call, the generous timeline for closing it is designed to enable continuity. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

The Biden administration gave Israel a Nov. 12 deadline to take specific steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the continuity of U.S. policies towards Israel has become uncertain as President Joe Biden enters a lame duck period following Donald Trump’s election on Tuesday. —Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024

Count Rudi provides the thread of continuity that life in the mid-2020s so frequently lacks. —Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 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