continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yü-əs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
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
continuousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web The fire chief said that continuous blasts prevented firefighters from getting too close. Leo Sands, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Recognized for its dedication to security and continuous improvement in the management of summonses and processes, the company has significantly contributed to the development and implementation of the electronic summons management system. Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 And neighborhoods across the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince, are experiencing continuous gunfire. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan reported that the teen was on foot at a car wash near a service station on 15 Mile Road when he was hit in the head by a projectile, possibly a tank, that shot out of the fire amid continuous explosions. Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 Yet the decline of Arctic sea ice has been well documented since at least 1979, when continuous satellite observations began. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Sonny was born with a congenital malformation that impaired his brain development and needs near continuous care simply to breathe and eat. Ted Alcorn Kaiti Sullivan, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Effective wealth management is a continuous process, requiring entrepreneurs to continually adapt to changing business landscapes and personal life stages. Jia Rizvi, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 This continuous engagement with future-focused thinking allows leaders to gradually sharpen their ability to anticipate changes, prepare for various scenarios, and devise strategies that are resilient and adaptable. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'continuous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin continuus (from continēre "to hold together, retain, restrain, have as contents" + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix) + -ous — more at contain

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of continuous was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near continuous

Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

continuous

adjective
con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
: continuing without a stop
continuously adverb
continuousness noun

Medical Definition

continuous

adjective
con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence : continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions
continuous vitamin injections
continuously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

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