discrete

adjective

dis·​crete di-ˈskrēt How to pronounce discrete (audio)
ˈdis-ˌ
1
: constituting a separate entity : individually distinct
several discrete sections
2
a
: consisting of distinct or unconnected elements : noncontinuous
b
: taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values
discrete probabilities
a discrete random variable
discretely adverb
discreteness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for discrete

distinct, separate, discrete mean not being each and every one the same.

distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others.

two distinct versions

separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things.

separate rooms

discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection.

broke the job down into discrete stages

Examples of discrete in a Sentence

The idea is to disconnect the memory from the reactions to the memory, so that although the memory of the traumatic event remains, the everyday things that can trigger fear and panic, such as trash blowing across the interstate or a car backfiring … are restored to insignificance. The trauma thus becomes a discrete event, not a constant, self-replicating, encompassing condition. Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 19 May 2008
Eliminating stress entirely is not an option. If there are discrete sources of stress in your life—a relationship, a job, a health problem—you can and should take action to try to mitigate them. But my experience is that we all are subject to a kind of conservation law of stress. If stress recedes in one area, it seems to increase in another. Time, 17 Oct. 2005
The newer, digital phones broadcast their communications in discrete bursts of energy, whereas analog devices employ continuous signals. Janet Raloff, Science News, 12 Feb. 2000
several discrete sections to this vast medical complex, including a college of pharmacology and a research center
Recent Examples on the Web All eight episodes are organized into discrete, digestible topics, whether an event (Carmichael attends the Emmys, Carmichael takes a road trip with his dad) or a person (two friends less camera-shy than Burnham, one from childhood and one from comedy, each get a spotlight). Alison Herman, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024 The former includes two DirectX 12 gaming simulations from UL's 3DMark, Night Raid (more modest, suitable for systems with integrated graphics) and Time Spy (more demanding, suitable for gaming rigs with discrete GPUs). PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024 Special security provisions may be in effect during the eclipse, including temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), two-way radio communications and discrete transponder requirements, the FAA said. TFRs are normally announced through NOTAM about three to five days before the event, the agency said. Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024 But in recent years, topologists have adapted their tools to work on discrete data by creating graphs of points connected by lines and then analyzing the properties of those graphs. Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024 Democrats–and, to a certain extent, mainstream economists–bristled at the concept of directing policy toward discrete industries. Bymaria Flynn, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024 The Recharge Room aims to address these concerns in a more discrete and non-stigmatized way. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 This discrete approach separates telemetry, creating disparate views with gaps complicating the threat elimination process. David Schiffer, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Her remarks were so deliberate that each word was its own discrete unit, surrounded by space. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discrete.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discrete, discret, discreet — more at discreet

Note: The adjective discrete is etymologically identical with discreet, of which it was originally a simple spelling variant. The consistent discrimination of the two senses by spelling, with discrete corresponding more closely to classical Latin in both form and meaning, dates from the 18th century.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discrete was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near discrete

Cite this Entry

“Discrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discrete. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

discrete

adjective
dis·​crete dis-ˈkrēt How to pronounce discrete (audio)
ˈdis-ˌkrēt
: distinct sense 1, separate
several discrete sections
discretely adverb
discreteness noun

Medical Definition

discrete

adjective
dis·​crete dis-ˈkrēt, ˈdis-ˌ How to pronounce discrete (audio)
: characterized by distinct unconnected lesions
discrete smallpox
compare confluent sense 2

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