ClimateJuly 28, 2026

discontinuity

dis-kon-ti-NOO-i-tee

Definition

A sudden, abrupt break or interruption in the normal flow, consistency, or continuation of a process.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'discontinuus', combining 'dis-' (meaning apart or asunder) and 'continuus' (meaning uninterrupted). It entered English in the 17th century to describe gaps in continuity.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how the exit of coal generators is happening through chaotic, sudden failure rather than a managed transition, labeling this unplanned breakdown a 'discontinuity'.

Ex-defence chief calls out Australia’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde climate policy’

Read the full article ↗

PV Tech

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.