continual

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adjective con·tin·u·al \kən-ˈtin-yü-əl, -yəl\

Definition of continual

1 : continuing indefinitely in time without interruption continual fear
2 : recurring in steady usually rapid succession a history of continual invasions

continually

adverb

See continual defined for English-language learners

See continual defined for kids

continual was our Word of the Day on 03/15/2011. Hear the podcast!

Examples of continual in a Sentence

This week we experienced days of continual sunshine.
The country has been in a continual state of war since it began fighting for its independence.
The continual interruptions by the student were annoying the teacher.

Recent Examples of continual from the Web

Dr. Tong is utterly broken down on a day she's met with continual failure as a crisis unfolds in the hospital.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "Three Is the Craziest Hospital Crime Thriller Ever (and It's on Netflix)," 15 July 2017
This is an intentional occupation of black and brown communities; a continual profiteering from generational poverty inflicted by a white supremacist capitalist society.

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Jim Crow Laws Alive and Well in de Blasio’s NYC: Black and Brown People Still Targeted, Arrested at Higher Rates Than Whites, Report Finds," 14 July 2017
The more modest an income, the more energy costs can be a continual, but unpredictable stress, a drain on cash flow that siphons income from other spending.

— ajc homepage, ajc, "Only five states have higher energy costs than Georgia (Turn off the AC? Are you nuts?)," 13 July 2017
Walmart and Target so far have avoided Kmart's fate by making continual investments in their stores, product lines and business strategies, according to Perkins.

— jc reindl, Detroit Free Press, "What Kmarts are actually open, who still shops there?," 13 July 2017
This latest West Wing drama unfolds against the continual prospect of a wider staff shake-up, which has hung over the White House for weeks.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Inside Trump’s West Wing: Fear, Recriminations, and No More “Conspiracy Bullshit”," 12 July 2017
The Goats and Sea Dogs were rained out Friday night and will play a doubleheader Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Omar Carrizales, the Yard Goats' 22-year-old center fielder, is in a continual search for balance.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Yard Goats' Carrizales Finds Balance On And Off Field In Hartford," 30 June 2017
However, continual vacancies, especially near the village green area of the complex, are on ongoing issue.

— kevin beese, chicagotribune.com, "Retiring Burr Ridge administrator retires after almost 28 years," 28 June 2017
This is a continual source of debate in the information security community.

— robert hackett, Fortune, "Mostly Young, Well-Educated Men Are Ordering Marijuana Delivery," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'continual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Since the mid-19th century, many grammarians have drawn a distinction between continual and continuous. Continual should only mean "occurring at regular intervals," they insist, whereas continuous should be used to mean "continuing without interruption." This distinction overlooks the fact that continual is the older word and was used with both meanings for centuries before continuous appeared on the scene. The prescribed sense of continuous became established only in the 19th century, and it never succeeded in completely driving out the equivalent sense of continual. Today, continual is the more likely of the two to mean "recurring," but it also continues to be used, as it has been since the 14th century, with the meaning "continuing without interruption."

Origin and Etymology of continual

Middle English, from Anglo-French continuel, from Latin continuus continuous

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First Known Use: 14th century

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Synonym Discussion of continual

continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence. continual showers the whole weekend continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension. football's oldest continuous rivalry constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence. lived in constant pain incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity. annoyed by the incessant quarreling perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration. a land of perpetual snowfall perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal. a perennial source of controversy

CONTINUAL Defined for English Language Learners

continual

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adjective

Definition of continual for English Language Learners

: happening without interruption : not stopping or ending
: happening again and again within short periods of time

CONTINUAL Defined for Kids

continual

play

adjective con·tin·u·al \kən-ˈtin-yə-wəl\

Definition of continual for Students

1 : going on or lasting without stop On every side there rose a continual chattering. — Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill
2 : occurring again and again within short periods of time Your continual interruptions are annoying.