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

For business leaders, smoke is now an operational risk that can affect occupant health, business continuity and institutional trust. — Sissi Liu, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

That presents a continuity conundrum for users entering the several miles of the High Line Canal trail that lie inside Cherry Hills Village. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2026

Meyer takes pains to recover the German continuities in Arendt’s life. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

For the latter, there’s a lot of talent and depth, but little continuity. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

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

• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity
• fatuity
• gratuity
• tenuity
• vacuity
• ambiguity
• contiguity
• incongruity
• ingenuity

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