discontinuity

noun

dis·​con·​ti·​nu·​ity (ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē 

-ˈnyü-

1

: lack of continuity or cohesion

2

: gap sense 5

3

a

: the property of being not mathematically continuous

a point of discontinuity

b

: an instance of being not mathematically continuous

especially : a value of an independent variable at which a function is not continuous

Synonyms of discontinuity

• gap
• hole

Examples of discontinuity in a Sentence

There is a sense of discontinuity between the book's chapters.

microscopic discontinuities in the connecting wires

Recent Examples on the Web

But it can also be read to argue that something well short of an extinction-level event can introduce real historical discontinuity. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026

Poor quality of care, care discontinuity and knowledge gaps are the most frequent factors in preventable maternal deaths. — Yenupini Joyce Adams, The Conversation, 27 May 2026

But periods of discontinuity demand the creation of new facts. — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026

Seismologists identified 459 earthquakes since 1990 that occurred beneath the Mohorovičić discontinuity. — Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing discontinuity

• Mohorovicic discontinuity

Rhymes for discontinuity

• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity
• ingenuity
• perpetuity
• perspicuity
• promiscuity
• superfluity
• acuity
• annuity
• circuity