Discontinue
/ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuː/
Definitions
To bring something to an end; to cease doing or providing something.
/ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuː/
To cease or stop something, especially an activity or practice.
The government will discontinue the funding for the project.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, and then you decide to stop. That's like discontinuing the game! Or, if a store stops selling a certain toy, they've discontinued it.
👶 For kids: To stop doing something.
More Examples
The airline was forced to discontinue several flights due to the storm.
She decided to discontinue her subscription to the magazine.
How It's Used
"The company decided to discontinue the production of the product due to low sales."
"The software developer will discontinue support for the older version."
Idioms & expressions
discontinue with prejudice
In legal contexts, to end a legal case permanently, with the implication that the case cannot be brought again.
"The plaintiff discontinued the case with prejudice, meaning they can never sue on that claim again."
From dis- (reversal) + continue (to persist). The prefix 'dis-' implies the cessation or ending of something that was ongoing.
The word 'discontinue' emerged in the 16th century, reflecting the increasing need to articulate concepts of cessation and termination, particularly in legal and commercial contexts.
Memory tip
Think of 'dis-' (opposite) + 'continue': to do the opposite of continuing; to stop.
Word Origin
"To continue, keep on, last"