continuance

noun

con·​tin·​u·​ance kən-ˈtin-yü-ən(t)s 

1

: continuation

2

: the extent of continuing : duration

3

: the quality of enduring : permanence

4

: an adjournment of a court case to a future day

Synonyms of continuance

• duration
• lifespan
• life
• time

Examples of continuance in a Sentence

No changes to the property are allowed during the continuance of the lease.

The lawyer asked the judge for a continuance.

Recent Examples on the Web

At a Friday court hearing for the family’s asylum case, a judge granted a continuance, which postpones the case to a later date, family attorney Danielle Molliver told CNN. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

Their immediate need is the continuance of church service on Sundays. —Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

And this year, at least five court hearings aimed at setting a trial date have ended in delays or continuances. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

During two previous court appearances, a judge granted Valle continuances to hire an attorney or file an application for a public defender. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from continuer "to persist, continue" + -ance -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for continuance

• discontinuance

Kids Definition

continuance

noun

con·​tin·​u·​ance kən-ˈtin-yə-wən(t)s 

1

: the act of continuing

2

: the extent of continuing : duration

3

: postponement of a case in a law court

Legal Definition

continuance

noun

con·​tin·​u·​ance kən-ˈti-nyə-wəns 

: the postponement of the court proceedings in a case to a future day