continuum

noun

con·​tin·​u·​um kən-ˈtin-yü-əm 

plural continua kən-ˈtin-yü-ə  also continuums

1

: a coherent whole characterized as a collection, sequence, or progression of values or elements varying by minute degrees

"good" and "bad" … stand at opposite ends of a continuum instead of describing the two halves of a line

—Wayne Shumaker

2

: the set of real numbers including both the rationals and the irrationals

broadly : a compact set which cannot be separated into two sets neither of which contains a limit point of the other

Examples of continuum in a Sentence

His motives for volunteering lie somewhere on the continuum between charitable and self-serving.

a continuum of temperatures ranging from very cold to very hot

Recent Examples on the Web

The film returns us to a childlike gaze, marveling at a world alive with possibility, where every sight lives on a continuum of meaning. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025

Visitors enter through the TARDIS spaceship to see all 17 of the Doctor's costumes and learn about scientific topics that informed the show from the space-time continuum to AI to cloning. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025

Add to that integration with other Adobe apps such as Express, Fresco, and Lightroom for a continuum of editing possibilities. —Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 25 Feb. 2025

Infuse Flexibility Into Your Plan And Documents Given the broad continuum of possible estate tax outcomes, all of which might change in a future administration, evaluate different options for integrating flexibility into your plan and documents. —Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, noun derivative from neuter of Latin continuus continuous

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

continuum

noun

con·​tin·​u·​um kən-ˈtin-yə-wəm 

plural continuua

-yə-wə

also continuums

: something that is continuous and the same throughout and that is often thought of as a series of elements or values which differ by only tiny amounts

"light" and "dark" stand at opposite ends of a continuum