continuous variation

American  

noun

Biology.

1. variation in phenotypic traits such as body weight or height in which a series of types are distributed on a continuum rather than grouped into discrete categories.

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continuous variation Scientific  

1. Variation within a population in which a graded series of intermediate phenotypes falls between the extremes. Height in human beings, for example, exists in continuous variation.

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Etymology

Origin of continuous variation

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

There have been numerous variations on “the cruelty is the point” since then, but Serwer’s take remains the original.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2025

Releasing numerous variations of an album has become increasingly popular as artists aim to give their most ardent fans more ways to support them—while also boosting their first-week totals in a fiercely competitive industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

There are also numerous variations of the Penguin in video games and animation.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2024

That being said, with more than 1,850 genera of dinosaurs estimated to have lived between 245 million and 66 million years ago, there were probably numerous variations on this theme.

From Scientific American • Mar. 29, 2013

The march continues with numerous variations such as change of formation from double to formation of fours, marching diagonally across the field, crossing at the middle, etc.

From School, Church, and Home Games by Draper, George Orrin