Discontinued

Discontinued means to stop or abandon the use or production of something. This can apply to products, services, programs, or practices. The act implies a conscious decision to cease offering something, often due to lack of demand, profitability, or strategic changes. The termination can be temporary or permanent. In the context of products, 'discontinued' can refer to a phased withdrawal from the market or an outright cessation of manufacturing and sales, rendering the item no longer available for purchase from the original source. Legal and organizational actions sometimes result in these changes, impacting consumers and businesses.

Discontinued meaning with examples

• The company discontinued its line of landline phones due to declining sales and the rise of mobile technology. Customers were notified well in advance. This decision forced the company to adapt to changes, leading to them focusing more on their new, successful product. It impacted the company financially, because it stopped production.
• After a thorough review, the school board discontinued the after-school tutoring program due to budget cuts and low student participation. This led to complaints from several parents whose children would miss the program and who felt that this was a hasty decision from the school board. The school had to reassess its needs.
• The manufacturer discontinued its original flagship car model in favor of a more modern, fuel-efficient version. It was no longer a good fit for the marketplace, and the old models required some significant mechanical problems, so it was the right decision. The consumer base grew, and demand increased with new products.
• Due to the introduction of new technology, the software provider discontinued support for the older version of its application. This required customers using the older version to update their software. This meant the old software versions wouldn't receive security updates. It impacted customers greatly and required quick action.