piecewise

American  

[pees-wahyz] / ˈpisˌwaɪz /

adverb

Mathematics.

1. denoting that a function has a specified property, as smoothness or continuity, on each of a finite number of pieces into which its domain is divided.

   a piecewise continuous function; a piecewise differentiable curve.

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Etymology

Origin of piecewise

First recorded in 1665–75; piece + -wise

Example Sentences

To evaluate whether the warming rate has changed since the 1970s, the researchers applied two statistical techniques: a quadratic trend analysis and a piecewise linear model that identifies when shifts in warming rates occur.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

The study revealed that subduction zones don't fail in one catastrophic break but die in stages, through a process known as "episodic" or "piecewise" termination.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2025

So we need to explore the three conditions of continuity at the boundary points of the piecewise function.

From Textbooks • Dec. 1, 2021

Notice that S is not smooth but is piecewise smooth; S can be written as the union of its base S1 and its spherical top S2, and both S1 and S2 are smooth.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Let S be a piecewise smooth closed surface that encompasses the origin.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016