discontinuity
noun
dis·con·ti·nu·ity
(ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē 
-ˈnyü-
1
: lack of continuity or cohesion
2
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
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
This trait formed what Ella and I came to call a telescoping process, with parts stretching back across time, marking the discontinuity between past and present, and then collapsing it.
—
Rebecca J. Lester, Scientific American, 16 May 2023
Furthermore, the Covid-19 crisis has created many pricing discontinuities, which can offer attractive trading opportunities.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
The first attempt at gathering a core sample like this dates back to 1957 with Project Mohole—a reference to the Mohorovičić discontinuity, or Moho, which is a boundary between the Earth’s crust and mantle.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023
This discontinuity, called the Moho, is now recognized as the line between Earth’s crust and its mantle.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Anchorage Daily News, 6 June 2023
This discontinuity, called the Moho, is now recognized as the line between Earth's crust and its mantle.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, BostonGlobe.com, 6 June 2023
Again, with resilience, there is no room for discontinuity in the new lifestyle module.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022
Furthermore, the Covid-19 crisis and recent market volatility have created many pricing discontinuities that can offer attractive trading opportunities.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 May 2023
By contrast, the backgrounds, especially the ones featuring Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods, feature laboriously dense linework and deep inks, creating a charming, if unexplained, stylistic discontinuity.
—Kay Sohini, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
See More
Rebecca J. Lester, Scientific American, 16 May 2023
Furthermore, the Covid-19 crisis has created many pricing discontinuities, which can offer attractive trading opportunities.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
The first attempt at gathering a core sample like this dates back to 1957 with Project Mohole—a reference to the Mohorovičić discontinuity, or Moho, which is a boundary between the Earth’s crust and mantle.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023
This discontinuity, called the Moho, is now recognized as the line between Earth’s crust and its mantle.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Anchorage Daily News, 6 June 2023
This discontinuity, called the Moho, is now recognized as the line between Earth's crust and its mantle.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, BostonGlobe.com, 6 June 2023
Again, with resilience, there is no room for discontinuity in the new lifestyle module.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2022
Furthermore, the Covid-19 crisis and recent market volatility have created many pricing discontinuities that can offer attractive trading opportunities.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 May 2023
By contrast, the backgrounds, especially the ones featuring Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods, feature laboriously dense linework and deep inks, creating a charming, if unexplained, stylistic discontinuity.
—Kay Sohini, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discontinuity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing discontinuity
Dictionary Entries Near discontinuity
Cite this Entry
“Discontinuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discontinuity. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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