The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Discontinuation \Dis`con*tin`u*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
   discontinuation.]
   Breach or interruption of continuity; separation of parts in
   a connected series; discontinuance.
   [1913 Webster]

         Upon any discontinuation of parts, made either by
         bubbles or by shaking the glass, the whole mercury
         falls.                                   --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

discontinuation
    n 1: the act of discontinuing or breaking off; an interruption
         (temporary or permanent) [syn: discontinuance,
         discontinuation] [ant: continuance, continuation]