discontinuous
Americanadjective
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not continuous; broken; interrupted; intermittent.
a discontinuous chain of mountains; a discontinuous argument.
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Mathematics. (of a function at a point) not continuous at the point.
adjective
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characterized by interruptions or breaks; intermittent
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maths (of a function or curve) changing suddenly in value for one or more values of the variable or at one or more points Compare continuous
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of discontinuous
From the Medieval Latin word discontinuus, dating back to 1660–70. See dis- 1, continuous
Compare meaning
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Vocabulary lists containing discontinuous
AB Calculus
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Calculus, List 1
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BC Calculus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"If the footpath is discontinuous, it's simply more convenient to keep walking on the road," says Goel.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
In contrast, regions with discontinuous or isolated permafrost sometimes experienced weathering-driven carbon uptake that exceeded 100 percent of river CO2 emissions.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026
Over the last few centuries, scientists reported that these "mats" have been "limited" and "discontinuous."
From Salon ● Mar. 25, 2023
"Whether this is better or worse than having several temporary contracts is debatable," said Miguel Angel Malo, professor of economics at the University of Salamanca, referring to the discontinuous contracts.
From Reuters ● Dec. 19, 2022
The past has become discontinuous, like stones skipped across water, like postcards: I catch an image of myself, a dark blank, an image, a blank.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
