continuum

noun

con·​tin·​u·​um kən-ˈtin-yü-əm 

plural continua kən-ˈtin-yü-ə  also continuums

1

: a coherent whole characterized as a collection, sequence, or progression of values or elements varying by minute degrees

"Good" and "bad" … stand at opposite ends of a continuum instead of describing the two halves of a line.

—Wayne Shumaker

2

: the set of real numbers including both the rationals and the irrationals

broadly : a compact set which cannot be separated into two sets neither of which contains a limit point of the other

Examples of continuum in a Sentence

His motives for volunteering lie somewhere on the continuum between charitable and self-serving.

a continuum of temperatures ranging from very cold to very hot

Recent Examples on the Web

Having your entire concept of the space-time continuum blown up will do that to a person. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026

Despite their historical futility – the Sabres are tied with the Vancouver Canucks as the oldest franchises to never win the Stanley Cup title and the Mammoth-Coyotes-Winnipeg Jets continuum would be right on their heels – Buffalo and Utah have been serious competitors this season. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 20 Mar. 2026

Martin has traditionally reserved his own name for projects outside the dub-dancehall continuum of the Bug, like the conceptual Sirens, a journal of childbirth as baptism by fire, and the abyssal Black, a tribute to Amy Winehouse. —Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026

This energy often comes from the ionizing continuum, a powerful, high-energy flashlight from the black hole that strips electrons from atoms. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, noun derivative from neuter of Latin continuus continuous

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

continuum

noun

con·​tin·​u·​um kən-ˈtin-yə-wəm 

plural continuua

-yə-wə

also continuums

: something that is continuous and the same throughout and that is often thought of as a series of elements or values which differ by only tiny amounts

"light" and "dark" stand at opposite ends of a continuum