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

Taormina, which is one of Italy’s oldest movie celebrations, has undergone many makeovers through the years as political turbulence often undermined the quality and continuity of its management. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

And changing the guard again in four years or so won’t ensure the stability and continuity that Boeing needs. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024

The relationship between the production and the individual vendors also requires uncommon care and continuity. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2024

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the fifth entry in Legendary Pictures’s slate of movies featuring lumbering kaiju and dubious continuity, arrives just weeks after Japan’s Godzilla Minus One concluded its impressive box-office run in the States. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024

Schulz might decide to promote from within — that continuity and a quick fix are paramount considering the double-whammy of losing Chun and basketball coach Kyle Smith, plus the ever-present issue of charting a strategic path forward for the athletic department. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024

The venue’s template of change and continuity is underscored by the 13 concerts that will kick off this year’s season. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024

Analysts say Singapore’s comparative advantage over its neighbors include its infrastructure, connectivity and continuity for the arts agenda due to political stability. —Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

This injury problem has led to a lack of continuity and rotation clarity as the playoffs approach. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 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