continuity

noun

con·​ti·​nu·​i·​ty ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē 

-ˈnyü-

plural continuities

1

a

: uninterrupted connection, succession, or union

… its disregard of the continuity between means and ends …

—Sidney Hook

b

: uninterrupted duration or continuation especially without essential change

the continuity of the company's management

2

: something that has, exhibits, or provides continuity: such as

a

: a script or scenario in the performing arts

b

: transitional spoken or musical matter especially for a radio or television program

c

: the story and dialogue of a comic strip

3

: the property of being mathematically continuous

Synonyms of continuity

• continuation
• continuance
• continuousness
• persistence

Examples of continuity in a Sentence

The art historian is studying the continuities between the painter's works and those of her followers.

There's a problem with the movie's continuity.

Recent Examples on the Web

To this end, estimates are still theoretical until decades of drilling confirm continuity, grade, and depth feasibility. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025

Debuting during Paris Couture Week in July, sculptural corsetry was the motif that provided the most continuity throughout founder Mohammed Ashi’s collection. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

Yet the continuity of its political trajectory isn’t necessarily assured. —Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

And so what is needed now is not bureaucratic continuity but moral renewal, beginning with free and fair elections. —Samer Sinijlawi, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English continuite, borrowed from Anglo-French continuité, borrowed from Latin continuitāt-, continuitās, from continuus continuous + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for continuity

• ambiguity
• contiguity
• incongruity
• ingenuity
• perpetuity
• perspicuity
• promiscuity
• superfluity
• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity

Kids Definition

continuity

noun

con·​ti·​nu·​ity

ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈ(y)ü-ət-ē

plural continuities

1

: the quality or state of being continuous

2

: something that has or provides continuity

Medical Definition

continuity

noun

con·​ti·​nu·​ity ˌkänt-ᵊn-ˈ(y)ü-ət-ē 

plural continuities

: uninterrupted connection, succession, or union