discontinuity

noun

dis·​con·​ti·​nu·​ity (ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce discontinuity (audio)
-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

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
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Any degradation or discontinuity in the data, whether in terms of quality or quantity, could negatively affect the model's forecasting skill, scientists warn. Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 28 June 2025 By definition, however, innovation creates discontinuities with the past that can generate social trauma. Edoardo Campanella, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2017 Xinhua Project Moho was named after the Mohorovičić discontinuity or Moho, which is a fundamental boundary within the Earth's interior. David Szondy june 08, New Atlas, 8 June 2025 The risk is that their momentum could be disrupted by policy discontinuity, political lobbying, or shifting priorities in Washington. Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for discontinuity

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discontinuity was in 1570

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Cite this Entry

“Discontinuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discontinuity. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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