discrete

adjective

dis·​crete di-ˈskrēt How to pronounce discrete (audio)
ˈdis-ˌ
Synonyms of discrete
1
: constituting a separate entity or item
… breakups are not a discrete event but a series of stages.—Isle McElroy
: individually distinct
several discrete sections
… treated these as discrete events, not as signs of a mounting problem.—Hannah Dreier
2
a
: consisting of distinct or unconnected elements : noncontinuous
Production should be thought of as a continuous flow, rather than as batches of a discrete number of units.—Douglas C. Brauer
b
: taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values
discrete probabilities
a discrete random variable

Note: Do not confuse discrete with discreet, which typically means "cautious and restrained" or "unobtrusive."

discretely adverb
discreteness noun

Synonyms of discrete

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Due to their tiny size, roughly 4 nanometers across, quantum confinement breaks their energy levels into discrete steps rather than a continuous chunk. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 An in-house leader owns the playbook and the institutional continuity; outside advisors deliver discrete pieces of it, at advisory rates, each time. — Shawn Cole, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 That evening would exist forever, suspended, discrete and complete, in the eternal present of time and space. — Sheila Heti, New Yorker, 26 July 2026 In much of literary fiction, characters and settings are developed slowly, through the gradual accrual of discrete moments that rarely stray from the mundane and the reasonable. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for discrete

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

Rhymes for discrete

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Browse Nearby Words

discrepate
discrete
discretely
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Cite this Entry

“Discrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discrete. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on discrete

Nglish: Translation of discrete for Spanish Speakers

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