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

• 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

Judge Lipner ruled that there would be no further continuances in the case. —Christina Dugan Ramirez , Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025

According to Cross County Circuit Court records, on July 1, a continuance was granted in the matter, and no trial date has been set. —Arkansas Online, 25 Aug. 2025

Instead, the judge overseeing the case granted the defense team's request for a continuance and agreed to hear arguments on their motion for a new trial in October. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Prosecutors argued in a response that Williams' lawyers had requested a continuance of a hearing in May and did not oppose the new date until the filing of the motion to dismiss. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

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