discontinuity

noun

dis·​con·​ti·​nu·​ity (ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē 

-ˈnyü-

1

: lack of continuity or cohesion

2

: gap sense 5

3

a

: the property of being not mathematically continuous

a point of discontinuity

b

: an instance of being not mathematically continuous

especially : a value of an independent variable at which a function is not continuous

Synonyms of discontinuity

• gap
• hole

Examples of discontinuity in a Sentence

There is a sense of discontinuity between the book's chapters.

microscopic discontinuities in the connecting wires

Recent Examples on the Web

The result is leadership continuity when discontinuity is required. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

The researchers were trying to test a concept known as temporal discontinuity, in which a brief amount of time passes between the introduction of an item and the assignment of its name. —New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026

In the experiment called a discontinuity condition, dog owners first showed the dogs the toys and then put the objects inside of a bucket. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026

Her use of repetition and discontinuity communicate her inquisitive approach to breaking these strictures. —Elizabeth Mangini, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing discontinuity

• Mohorovicic discontinuity

Rhymes for discontinuity

• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity
• fatuity
• gratuity
• tenuity
• vacuity
• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity