continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yü-əs 

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

Synonyms

• continual
• continued
• continuing
• nonstop
• incessant
• uninterrupted

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

This neurocosmetic innovation, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research on touch receptors, works by activating sensory pathways in the skin to trigger the release of mood-regulating biomarkers, establishing a continuous feedback loop between skin repair and emotional balance. —Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025

The city -- home to more than 710,000 people before Russia's full-scale invasion -- is now only around 16 miles from the front line and subject to continuous Russian attacks. —David Brennan, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025

But his towering and moving performance, including a knock-out monologue shot in one continuous close-up, feels like the Academy may be ripe to hand him, at the very least, a seventh career lead actor nomination, and possibly a fourth Oscar. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025

For years, following significant and continuous quality and safety errors, Boeing has been barred from certifying the safety of some of its own aircraft on behalf of the US government. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing continuous

• continuous positive airway pressure

Rhymes for continuous

• discontinuous
• semicontinuous

Kids Definition

continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs 

: continuing without a stop

continuously adverb

continuousness noun

Medical Definition

continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs 

: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence : continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions

continuous vitamin injections

continuously adverb