Discontinuation: meaning, definitions and examples

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discontinuation

 

[ ˌdɪskənˌtɪnjuˈeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

business decision

The action of ending or stopping something, especially a product or service that is no longer being produced or offered.

Synonyms

cessation, halt, stoppage, termination.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
discontinuation

Formal situations, often used in medical or organizational contexts to indicate a planned or deliberate stop.

  • The discontinuation of the medication should be monitored carefully
  • The project faced discontinuation due to budget cuts
termination

Formal and impactful situations such as employment, contracts, or processes, usually indicating a final and irrevocable end. Can carry a negative connotation depending on the context.

  • The termination of his contract left him unemployed
  • The company faced termination of its operations due to bankruptcy
cessation

Formal situations, typically used in legal, medical, or diplomatic contexts to denote an end, often abrupt or complete curtailment.

  • The cessation of hostilities was declared by both parties
  • Smoking cessation programs aim to help people quit smoking
halt

Informal and formal situations where a temporary or sudden stop is required. Can be used in numerous contexts including emergencies or machinery.

  • The train came to a sudden halt due to an obstacle on the tracks
  • The project was halted due to unexpected financial issues
stoppage

Often used in industry, sports, or labor contexts, indicating a temporary pause, typically due to external factors.

  • There was a stoppage in the factory's production line
  • A stoppage time was added to the soccer match

Examples of usage

  • The discontinuation of the popular smartphone model caused a lot of disappointment among customers.
  • Due to financial reasons, the company announced the discontinuation of its oldest product line.
Context #2 | Noun

medical field

The act of ceasing or interrupting the use of a medication, treatment, or therapy.

Synonyms

cessation, cessation, interruption, stoppage.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
discontinuation

Used in formal or official contexts, often related to policies, procedures, or prolonged actions.

  • The discontinuation of the service was announced last week
  • The drug's discontinuation led to significant public concern
cessation

Employ in a formal context when referring to the end of an action, often in legal, medical, or conflict-related circumstances.

  • The cessation of hostilities was declared at midnight
  • The doctor advised cessation of smoking to improve health
interruption

Best used when describing temporary halts or breaks in activities, processes, or communication.

  • There was an interruption in the power supply
  • The speech was interrupted by loud applause
stoppage

Often used in the context of physical or mechanical processes, strikes or work-related halts, sometimes carrying a negative connotation.

  • The machine stoppage caused a delay in production
  • The workers organized a stoppage to protest against the new policy

Examples of usage

  • The doctor advised against sudden discontinuation of the medication to avoid adverse effects.
  • After the discontinuation of the treatment, the patient experienced a relapse of symptoms.

Translations

Translations of the word "discontinuation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 descontinuação

🇮🇳 समाप्ति

🇩🇪 Abbruch

🇮🇩 penghentian

🇺🇦 припинення

🇵🇱 przerwanie

🇯🇵 中止

🇫🇷 arrêt

🇪🇸 interrupción

🇹🇷 durdurma

🇰🇷 중단

🇸🇦 انقطاع

🇨🇿 přerušení

🇸🇰 prerušenie

🇨🇳 中止

🇸🇮 prekinitev

🇮🇸 stöðvun

🇰🇿 тоқтату

🇬🇪 შეწყვეტა

🇦🇿 dayandırma

🇲🇽 interrupción

Etymology

The word 'discontinuation' originated from the verb 'discontinue', which dates back to the late 15th century. The prefix 'dis-' denotes a negative or opposite meaning, while 'continue' comes from the Latin word 'continuare', meaning 'to join together'. Over time, 'discontinue' evolved into 'discontinuation', commonly used in various fields such as business, medicine, and technology.

See also: continual, continually, continuance, continuation, continuing, continuity, continuous, continuously, discontinuance, discontinue, discontinued, discontinuity, discontinuous.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,625, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.