continuous

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yü-əs 

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

continuousness

2 of 2

noun

con·​tin·​u·​ous·​ness

kən-ˈtin-yü-əs-nəs, 

-yə-wəs-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being continuous

Synonyms of continuous

Adjective

• continual
• continued
• continuing
• nonstop
• incessant
• uninterrupted

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

The City of Loveland and the Loveland Police Department remain committed to the continuous evaluation of policies, training, and practices intended to support public safety, transparency, and community trust. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Such a drone boat is supposedly capable of continuous, autonomous loiter operations in which the Corsair maintains its position while autonomously regulating power consumption and only engaging its engine when needed, according to a Saronic blog post. —Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026

In this context, Mentor126 notes that continuous access to guidance becomes an area of growing interest for many learning leaders. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 9 June 2026

With the continuous nature of The Pitt, every episode is really a team effort as storylines weave through and some begin and end. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing continuous

• continuous positive airway pressure

Rhymes for continuous

• discontinuous
• semicontinuous

Kids Definition

continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs 

: continuing without a stop

continuously adverb

continuousness noun

Medical Definition

continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs 

: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence : continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions

continuous vitamin injections

continuously adverb