1. Plural of discontinuity; breaks, gaps, or interruptions in continuity or sequence.
Usage: Most common sense; used in general contexts
2. In mathematics and physics, points or regions where a function or physical property is not continuous or has a sudden change.
Usage: technical; mathematics; physics

Examples

• The road had several discontinuities where construction had not yet been completed.
• There are discontinuities in the historical record that make it difficult to understand what happened during that period.
• The graph shows discontinuities at x = 2 and x = 5.
• Social discontinuities often occur during times of rapid cultural change.
• The discontinuities in the rock layers revealed different geological periods.
• The data analysis revealed discontinuities in the patient's recovery pattern.