continuum

noun

con·tin·u·um | \ kən-ˈtin-yü-əm

plural continua\ kən-ˈtin-yü-ə

\ also continuums

Definition of continuum

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

Ma is on the same continuum of Hollywood’s race hyperconsciousness. — Armond White, National Review, "Ma’s Black-Mammy Stereotypes Capture the Illiberal Spirit," 7 June 2019 This bike resides on the opposite end of that continuum. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Road Bikes for Every Cyclist," 8 May 2019 Think of a car as being on a continuum: Somewhere between the shiny new car and its place on the scrap pile is (drum roll) you. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Become a Skilled Tradesperson," 13 Mar. 2019 The photographic tour de force, a five-page foldout, connects then and now in a continuum of the society’s legacy of conservation. — Cathy Newman, WSJ, "Saving Earth’s Oldest Living Things," 7 Dec. 2018 There is a continuum; an incredibly complex range of issues to deal with. — James Vincent, The Verge, "Browser plug-ins that spot fake news show the difficulty of tackling the ‘information apocalypse’," 23 Aug. 2018 Daniel Arsham has an uncanny life along the space-time continuum. — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "Only 500 of This Artist’s Space Kit Candle Are Up for Grabs—And They’re Totally Worth the Hype," 30 Nov. 2018 The company maintains the design change is part of a continuum. — Matthew Haag, The Seattle Times, "In a victory for PETA, animal crackers roam free," 21 Aug. 2018 An animal’s niche is part of a continuum, with lots and lots of dimensions. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "The evolutionary mystery of gigantic human brains," 23 Aug. 2018

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