Discontinued

/ˌdɪskənˈtɪn.juːd/

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To stop doing or providing something; to cease operation or use.

/ˌdɪskənˈtɪn.juːd/

verbneutralmedium
General

To cease to do something.

The manufacturer discontinued the production of the product.

💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite ice cream flavor is no longer available at the store. That flavor has been 'discontinued'! It's like it's been taken away and you can't get it anymore.

👶 For kids: It means to stop doing something, like if a toy is not made anymore.

More Examples

2

We have decided to discontinue our membership program.

3

The airline discontinued its direct flights to the city.

How It's Used

Business

"The company discontinued the production of the model due to low sales."

Technology

"The software support for the operating system was discontinued last year."

2

No longer made, sold, or used.

/ˌdɪskənˈtɪn.juːd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

No longer available or in use.

That model of car is discontinued and is no longer being produced.

💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite cereal stops being made – it’s 'discontinued'! That means you can't buy it anymore.

👶 For kids: It means something is not made anymore, like a toy or a video game.

More Examples

2

The manufacturer announced the discontinued status of the product.

3

Many customers were disappointed when their favorite discontinued item was not available.

How It's Used

Consumer Goods

"The discontinued perfume is now highly sought after by collectors."

Software

"The discontinued software no longer receives security updates."

Tip:Think of a product that is *dis* – not – *continued* – still being made. It's not being made anymore.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English *discontinuen*, from Old French *descontinuer* or Medieval Latin *discontinuare*, from Latin *dis-* (apart) + *continuare* (to continue).

The word 'discontinued' has been in use since the 17th century, primarily within legal and business contexts.

Memory tip

Think of *dis* as 'stop' and *continued* as 'going on'. Discontinued means to stop the action.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to continue"

discontinue productiondiscontinue a servicediscontinued productdiscontinued modeldiscontinued software

Common misspellings

discontineddiscontinueeddiscontiniued

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written