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

Each year, half the NFL cycles through offensive coordinators, and though there are contrary examples, continuity matters. — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The overall messaging of the new cross-border retail push is an emphasis on continuity over novelty. — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Boards are becoming increasingly attuned to this in their role of overseeing business continuity and enterprise value. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Across Ahlem’s retail network, a material lexicon of walnut, metal, glass, plaster and concrete provides continuity without forcing every store into the same template. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 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