A system of axes that form a frame of reference. The three dimensions of space and the dimension of time together can be taken to form a four-dimensional continuum; this was suggested by Minkowski in connection with special relativity. It has been suggested that many of the fundamental problems of the general theory of relativity and quantum field theory arise from regarding space–time as a continuum.
Mathematics
A somewhat archaic word for the set of real numbers. Also, in general topology, a non-empty compact, connected, Hausdorff space.
Astronomy
A featureless spectrum, or region of the spectrum between absorption or emission lines. Measurement of the strengths of such lines requires accurate determination of the strength of the continuum on either side of the line.
Chemical Engineering
A region of material space through which properties such as temperature, density, and composition vary in a mathematically continuous manner.
Philosophy
The linear continuum is the set of ‘points’ on a line. The great achievement of Cantorian set theory was to provide a purely mathematical treatment of this set, without invoking undefined notions like nearness or distance.