continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yü-əs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
1
: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence
The batteries provide enough power for up to five hours of continuous use.
2
of a function : having the property that the absolute value of the numerical difference between the value at a given point and the value at any point in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough
continuousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for continuous

continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence.

continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

Examples of continuous in a Sentence

The album is divided into different tracks, but it is really one continuous song. a continuous line of traffic The batteries provide enough power for up to five hours of continuous use. The phrases “am seeing,” “had been seeing,” and “is being seen” are all in continuous tenses.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each episode of the UK series — which centers on a 13-year-old boy named Jamie being accused of murder — was filmed in a single take, with some running for more than an hour of continuous action, with school fights, foot chases and multiple location changes all included. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025 By nature’s calendar, the best pike fishing of the season was yet to come, providing the ice holds up; pike season is continuous on Lake of the Woods. Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2025 Ballet is a lifestyle that requires continuous conditioning, off-season side jobs, a body type that fits the needs of a particular company, partnering skills and, well, a lot of luck. Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 The Aaron Rodgers situation has received continuous updates over the last few days. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for continuous

Word History

Etymology

Latin continuus (from continēre "to hold together, retain, restrain, have as contents" + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix) + -ous — more at contain

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of continuous was in 1673

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

continuous

adjective
con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
: continuing without a stop
continuously adverb
continuousness noun

Medical Definition

continuous

adjective
con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence : continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions
continuous vitamin injections
continuously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

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