Discontinue Meaning
/ˌdɪskənˈtɪnju/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo interrupt the continuance of; to put an end to, especially as regards commercial productions; to stop producing, making, or supplying.
verbTo consciously cease the ingestion or administration of (a pharmaceutical drug).
Sentence Examples
McDonald's will discontinue the use of boneless lean beef trimmings in their hamburgers.
It's important not to change or discontinue medication without seeking medical advice.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The store decided to ____ the unpopular brand after customer complaints.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
McDonald's will ____ the use of boneless lean beef trimmings in their hamburgers.
Word Origin & History
From Old French descontinuer, equivalent to dis- + continue.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I have discontinued school
Above a twelvemonth."
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:
"Taught the Greek tongue, discontinued before in these parts the space of seven hundred years."
— 1603, Samuel Daniel, A Defence of Rime:
"They modify and discriminate the voice, without appearing to discontinue it."
— 1669, William Holder, Elements of Speech:
"Passenger traffic was subsequently discontinued, and early in the recent war a considerable amount of the permanent way at the Treforest end of the railway was taken up."
— 1946 January and February, “Notes and News: Demolition of Rhydyfelin Viaduct”, in Railway Magazine, page 52:
"Exactly 50 years ago, the U.S. Federal Reserve, which had previously issued bills with values as high as $10,000, made it all about the Benjamins. Every bill more valuable than $100 was officially discontinued. (They’d stopped being printed decades earlier, but many had kept circulating.)"
— 2019 July 3, Mike D'Angelo, “Oscar Isaac and Ben Affleck blunder through a heavy heist in J.C. Chandor’s Triple Frontier”, in AV Club, archived from the original on 21 Nov 2019:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The store decided to ____ the unpopular brand after customer complaints.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
McDonald's will ____ the use of boneless lean beef trimmings in their hamburgers.