discontinuity

American  

[dis-kon-tn-oo-i-tee, -yoo-] / ˌdɪs kɒn tnˈu ɪ ti, -ˈyu- /

noun

discontinuities plural

1. lack of continuity; irregularity.

   The plot of the book was marred by discontinuity.

2. a break or gap.

   The surface of the moon is characterized by major discontinuities.

3. Mathematics. a point at which a function is not continuous.

4. Geology. a zone deep within the earth where the velocity of earthquake waves changes radically.

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discontinuity British  

/ dɪsˌkɒntɪˈnjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of rational connection or cohesion

2. a break or interruption

3. maths

   1. the property of being discontinuous

   2. the point or the value of the variable at which a curve or function becomes discontinuous

4. geology

   1. a zone within the earth where a sudden change in physical properties, such as the velocity of earthquake waves, occurs. Such a zone marks the boundary between the different layers of the earth, as between the core and mantle See also Mohorovičić discontinuity

   2. a surface separating rocks that are not continuous with each other

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discontinuity Scientific  

/ dĭs-kŏn′tə-no̅o̅′ĭ-tē /

1. A usually uneven surface between two layers of rock or sediment that represents either an interruption in the deposition of the layers, as in an unconformity, or a displacement of one or both layers relative to each other, as in a fault.

2. A surface within the Earth across which the velocities of seismic waves change. The discontinuities are located at the boundaries between the Earth's various layers and correspond to changes in the elastic properties of the Earth's materials.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• discontinuities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of discontinuity

From the Medieval Latin word discontinuitās, dating back to 1560–70. See discontinuous, -ity

Example Sentences

Its source was located more than 20 kilometers beneath the Mohorovičić discontinuity, commonly called the Moho, which marks the boundary between Earth's crust and the underlying mantle.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

“The discontinuity that I think people are not appreciating as much outside of the state is that the Talarico argument and the Cornyn argument are very elite-driven arguments about eligibility.”

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Mr Wetmore says the industry has managed encryption transitions in the past, but “It's the sharper discontinuity that makes this threat more serious.”

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2025

Moments of discontinuity can also be triggered by external forces.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2024

He had discovered the boundary between the crust and the layer immediately below, the mantle; this zone has been known ever since as the Mohorovičić discontinuity, or Moho for short.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson