Discontinued Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌdɪskɑnˈtɪned/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun/Verb

Definition

A product, item, or service that is no longer available, supported, or produced due to various reasons; a phenomenon in which something is withdrawn from the market or disappears from public view.

Examples

• The company discontinued its popular smartphone model.
• The game was discontinued due to lack of interest.
• The author’s book was discontinued after a month of publication.
• The coffee shop discontinued its signature drink due to low demand.
• The software was discontinued, and users were encouraged to switch to a new version.
• The artist’s favorite material was discontinued, so he had to find an alternative.

Synonyms

• Withdrawal
• Cancellation

Antonyms

• New
• Introduced
• Launched

Etymology

The word “discontinued” originates from the Latin “discerne,” meaning “to distinguish,” and “contineo,” meaning “to hold together.” In the 16th century, the word emerged in English as a noun, referring to the act of ceaseless effort to continue or maintain something. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass a wider range of concepts, including the cessation of a product, service, or idea.

Usage Notes

Avoid using “discontinued” as a verb, as it can appear awkward and un idiomatic. Instead, opt for more natural verb forms, such as “was discontinued” or “discontinued production.”

Cultural References

The term “discontinued” has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “The Office” and the movie “Up.” In both cases, the term was used to humorously describe the withdrawal of a product or service.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“To be discontinued” is a common idiomatic expression for something to be removed or terminated.

Related Words or Phrases

Phrases like “out of production,” “no longer available,” and “withdrawn from the market” are closely related to “discontinued” in terms of meaning and usage.

Collocations

“Discontinued” often collocates with words like “product,” “service,” “item,” and “brand” to convey the idea of cessation or withdrawal.

Frequency of Use

The word “discontinued” has become more prominent in modern language due to the rise of e-commerce and the ease of product withdrawal.

Common Misspellings

Misspellings such as “discontined,” “discontinue,” and “discontnued” are common, especially when typing quickly or without attention to detail.