continuous

adjective

con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yü-əs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
Synonyms of continuousnext
1
: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence
The batteries provide enough power for up to five hours of continuous use.
2
of a function : having the property that the absolute value of the numerical difference between the value at a given point and the value at any point in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough
continuousness noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for continuous

continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence.

continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

Examples of continuous in a Sentence

The album is divided into different tracks, but it is really one continuous song. a continuous line of traffic The batteries provide enough power for up to five hours of continuous use. The phrases “am seeing,” “had been seeing,” and “is being seen” are all in continuous tenses.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Acronis has continuous protection similar to what Carbonite Cloud Backup offers. —PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024 To be sure, the solar industry at large should continue to expand irrespective of who runs the government, as continuous cost declines have made solar an increasingly viable energy source. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Term limits, performance evaluations, and commitment to continuous learning are fundamental to the Board’s ability to stay ahead of rapid changes. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 In the interview below, Gyasi spoke with Deadline all about Season 2, Dennison’s continuous moral dilemma, and his ongoing relationship with Kate, romantic or not. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for continuous 

Word History

Etymology

Latin continuus (from continēre "to hold together, retain, restrain, have as contents" + -uus, deverbal adjective suffix) + -ous — more at contain

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of continuous was in 1673

Phrases Containing continuous

Dictionary Entries Near continuous

continuo

continuous

continuous brake

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Continuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuous. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

continuous

adjective
con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
: continuing without a stop
continuously adverb
continuousness noun

Medical Definition

continuous

adjective
con·​tin·​u·​ous kən-ˈtin-yə-wəs How to pronounce continuous (audio)
: marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence : continuing without intermission or recurring regularly after minute interruptions
continuous vitamin injections
continuously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on continuous

Nglish: Translation of continuous for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of continuous for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...