# continuous deployment

CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/continuous-deployment
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a way of working in software where every change that passes its tests is automatically sent to the real users. This means the software is updated many times a day without human help.

For teachers: a software engineering process where code changes are automatically tested and released to the production environment without manual intervention. It represents the final stage of a pipeline that automates the entire path from code commit to live deployment.

## Examples

- Our team uses continuous deployment to release updates every hour.
- By adopting continuous deployment, the startup reduced the time between fixing a bug and delivering the solution to their customers.
- While continuous deployment accelerates the feedback loop, it requires a robust suite of automated tests to ensure that regressions do not reach the end user during the automated release cycle.

## Pitfalls

- Not "continuous deployment of a new feature" but "continuous delivery of a new feature" — Learners often confuse 'deployment' (automatic release to production) with 'delivery' (ready for release but requiring a manual trigger).

## Usage notes

- Often used in the context of 'CI/CD' (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.