continuous

adjective con·tin·u·ous \ kən-ˈtin-yü-əs \

Definition of continuous

1 :marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence

The batteries provide enough power for up to five hours of continuous use.

2 of a function :having the property that the absolute value of the numerical difference between the value at a given point and the value at any point in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough

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continuously

adverb

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continuousness

noun

See continuous defined for English-language learners

See continuous defined for kids

Examples of continuous in a Sentence

The album is divided into different tracks, but it is really one continuous song.
a continuous line of traffic
The batteries provide enough power for up to five hours of continuous use.
The phrases “am seeing,” “had been seeing,” and “is being seen” are all in continuous tenses.

Recent Examples of continuous from the Web

This year marks the 66th continuous season for the nonprofit, 240-seat Dunes Summer Theatre, 288 Shady Oak Drive, Michigan City.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "'Love Letters' and new chapter for Valpo famed mystery author Kate Collins," 29 Aug. 2017
Hanlon hopes to put the brakes on it by using continuous, rather than intermittent, theta burst stimulation.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "Brain-altering magnetic pulses could zap cocaine addiction," 29 Aug. 2017
Aerobic Exercise This exercise is done by using your arms and/or legs in a continuous, rhythmic movement in order to increase your heart rate.

— trihealth, Cincinnati.com, "The Importance of Exercise in Treating Diabetes," 21 Aug. 2017
So the American Whitewater Association created a seven-level standardized rating system covers everything from still water streams to continuous raging rapids for the more advanced river scout.

— peter reese, Popular Mechanics, "Five Things to Know Before Running a Wild River," 11 Aug. 2017
That delay impedes what players say is one of the old beauties of their game — continuous play.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Sporting KC embracing addition of MLS instant replay, but there’s skepticism," 5 Aug. 2017
Women receive a Nexplanon implant in their arm, which provides up to three years of continuous birth control.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Tennessee Seems Very Interested in Sterilizing People," 21 July 2017
Twitter’s continuous comparison to Facebook was probably one of the biggest dents to its stock over the years.

— nick bilton, The Hive, "Don’t Panic, Wall Street: Why You Shouldn’t Bet Against Snapchat and Evan Spiegel," 19 July 2017
A continuous process, identification should start when a person enters and stop only when that person leaves the jail, Cox said.

— hannah leone, chicagotribune.com, "LaSalle jail suicide highlights complexity of screening inmates for mental illness," 18 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of continuous

Latin continuus, from continēre to hold together — more at contain

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First Known Use: 1673

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continuous Synonyms

Synonyms

ceaseless, continual, continued, continuing, incessant, nonstop, perpetual, running, unbroken, unceasing, uninterrupted, unremitting

Antonyms

discontinuous, noncontinuous

Related Words

dateless, deathless, endless, eternal, everlasting, immortal, interminable, permanent, undying, unending; changeless, constant, stable, steady, unchanging, unvarying; durable, enduring, lasting, persistent; imperishable, indestructible

Near Antonyms

intermittent, periodic, periodical, recurrent, recurring; alternate, alternating, cyclic (or cyclical), rhythmic (or rhythmical), seasonal, serial; erratic, fitful, irregular, occasional, spasmodic, sporadic, spotty, unsteady

Synonym Discussion of continuous

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

CONTINUOUS Defined for English Language Learners

continuous

adjective

Definition of continuous for English Language Learners

: continuing without stopping : happening or existing without a break or interruption

CONTINUOUS Defined for Kids

continuous

adjective con·tin·u·ous \ kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs \

Definition of continuous for Students

:going on without stop

a continuous line of traffic

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continuously

adverb

Medical Dictionary

continuous

adjective con·tin·u·ous \ kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs \

medical Definition of continuous

:marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence :continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions

continuous vitamin injections

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continuously

adverb

Learn More about continuous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for continuous Spanish Central: Translation of continuous Nglish: Translation of continuous for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of continuous for Arabic speakers

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continuous

Definition of continuous

continuously

continuousness

From the M-W Editors

Examples of continuous in a Sentence

Recent Examples of continuous from the Web

Origin and Etymology of continuous

continuous Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of continuous

CONTINUOUS Defined for English Language Learners

continuous

Definition of continuous for English Language Learners

CONTINUOUS Defined for Kids

continuous

Definition of continuous for Students

continuously

Medical Dictionary

continuous

medical Definition of continuous

continuously

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