A continuous random variable is a type of variable that can take on an infinite number of values within a given range. Unlike discrete random variables, which have specific, countable outcomes, continuous random variables can represent measurements such as height, weight, or temperature. These values can be any real number within a specified interval. The probability of a continuous random variable taking on a specific value is always zero. Instead, probabilities are calculated over intervals. For example, the probability that a continuous random variable falls between two values can be determined using a probability density function (PDF), which describes the likelihood of different outcomes within the range.