The continuum is the range, series, or spectrum in which no part is distinctly distinct but there are definite extremes. It’s a concept that’s often used in education, especially when describing different types of learning styles or different ways that people learn.
There are lots of things on the continuum, from tawdry sex to a lack of discipline. Depending on the situation, each one can be either a benefit or a burden. Gender identity and the severity of crimes are also on a continuum. So too is the way that society stratifies people by comparing their achieved and ascribed statuses.
Some people find it useful to talk about kids on a continuum, from sucky to better. But kids aren’t just one thing; they’re many things on a spectrum, and it’s easy to forget that.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘continuum.’ They do not represent the opinions of Merriam-Webster or its editors. the continuum