discontinuity

noun
UK /ˌdɪs.kɒn.tɪˈnjuː.ə.ti/
US /ˌdɪs.kɑːn.tənˈuː.ə.t̬i/

A discontinuity is a break or gap where something is not continuous.

The hikers noticed a discontinuity in the trail where a rock slide had covered the path.

SYNONYMS

gapbreakinterruptionrupturepause

RELATED WORDS

discontinuouscontinuousintervalbreakageseparation

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A sharp change or jump in a mathematical function at a particular point.

The graph of the function shows a discontinuity at x equals zero.

3. A break in rock layers where the sequence of geological time is missing.

Geologists studied the discontinuity between the two rock formations.

4. A lack of smooth connection or logical flow between parts of something.

There is a discontinuity in the story when the main character suddenly moves to another city.