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

Josefowicz, in her decathlon of a performance, brought Ligeti’s savage discontinuities to the surface. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 29 June 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