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 of continuity

• continuation
• continuance
• continuousness
• persistence

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

Part of that has been some of the continuity on the coaching staff and making the right additions in the offseason. —Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025

The festival has expanded beyond its annual event into a year-round cultural engine, with industry platform JAFF Market, JAFF Community Forum, and educational programs ensuring continuity. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Nov. 2025

Despite this, individual arcs—such as Nancy’s and Will’s—have been praised for bringing depth and continuity to the closing narrative. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Since then, the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group has greenlighted more than a half a billion dollars in contract value to build, fortify and retain continuity in the trenches. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for continuity

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

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