continuum

noun

con·​tin·​u·​um kən-ˈtin-yü-əm How to pronounce continuum (audio)
plural continua kən-ˈtin-yü-ə How to pronounce continuum (audio) also continuums
1
: a coherent whole characterized as a collection, sequence, or progression of values or elements varying by minute degrees
"good" and "bad" … stand at opposite ends of a continuum instead of describing the two halves of a lineWayne Shumaker
2
: the set of real numbers including both the rationals and the irrationals
broadly : a compact set which cannot be separated into two sets neither of which contains a limit point of the other

Examples of continuum in a Sentence

His motives for volunteering lie somewhere on the continuum between charitable and self-serving. a continuum of temperatures ranging from very cold to very hot
Recent Examples on the Web Long Beach, Glendale and Los Angeles each have their own continuum of care. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024 McCloskey also was a champion of environmental issues who saw his work as a continuum of the conservation efforts of former President Teddy Roosevelt. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for continuum 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'continuum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, noun derivative from neuter of Latin continuus continuous

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of continuum was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near continuum

Cite this Entry

“Continuum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuum. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

continuum

noun
con·​tin·​u·​um kən-ˈtin-yə-wəm How to pronounce continuum (audio)
plural continuua
-yə-wə
also continuums
: something that is continuous and the same throughout and that is often thought of as a series of elements or values which differ by only tiny amounts
"light" and "dark" stand at opposite ends of a continuum

More from Merriam-Webster on continuum

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