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

• abidance
• ceaselessness
• continuance
• continuation
• continuousness
• durability
• duration
• endurance
• persistence
• subsistence

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

Any transition must ensure the continuity and quality of coding standards, possibly through public funding or multi-stakeholder governance models that replace a single private owner. —Vlad Panin, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

The strategy focuses on improving early warning systems, ensuring the continuity of essential services such as healthcare and drinking water and helping citizens prepare for responding to crises. —Lili Bayer, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

This year’s Duke youngsters are attempting to buck the trend that experience and continuity are keys to success in college basketball. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Arkansas began this season with a cast of transfers and freshmen, ranking 323rd in minutes continuity, per KenPom. —Jordan Brenner, New York Times, 27 Mar. 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