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 There are still discrete buttons for the main climate control functions such as window demisting, but other air conditioning changes must be made using the media screen. James Morris, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 First class passengers may also have a more discrete check-in experience at the airport, according to Leff, with some airlines even providing an escort between the lounge and aircraft. Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Jan. 2024 Data management must move from the cleansing and control of discrete data sets into the ongoing, active curation of conversations, both prompt and response. Forrester, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Two directors — one florid, one discrete — typified Paramount in peak form: the authentically Viennese but bogus aristocrat Josef von Sternberg and the brilliant comedian of manners, Ernst Lubitsch. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 The edges of tiles in Penrose tilings don’t fall at regular intervals, so specifying their distribution requires continuous real numbers rather than discrete integers. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 The barrel includes the aforementioned lock switch, as well as discrete control rings to set the zoom and manual focus, but nothing else. PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2024 Traditionally, a basketball team is organized into discrete parts. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 According to this model, breakups are not a discrete event but a series of stages. Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 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 19 Mar. 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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