The continuum is a range, series, or spectrum in which each part has a particular characteristic to a degree that differs from the next but with distinctly defined extremes. The range of human emotions is a continuum, with anger at one end and elation at the other. The scale of musical styles is a continuum, with the difference between traditional folk and contemporary rock music being one example. The two systems of stratification in societies, caste and class, are opposite points on a continuum, with one being more restrictive of social mobility and the other being more strict about achieved versus ascribed statuses.
Many evolutionary scientists have argued that genetic mutations and natural selection operate on a continuum, with the fittest surviving at each point of the curve. They also argue that the distinction between species is a continuum, with fossil records supporting both gradual and sudden transitions between the species.
Many everyday words have a continuum meaning, and it’s helpful to know them when you’re writing. For instance, when you are discussing a subject such as parenting styles, it is useful to describe the various approaches in terms of their place on a continuum that runs from strict discipline to more child centered approach. These examples are selected automatically from online sources, and may not represent the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors. the continuum