continuance

noun

con·​tin·​u·​ance kən-ˈtin-yü-ən(t)s How to pronounce continuance (audio)
1
2
: the extent of continuing : duration
3
: the quality of enduring : permanence
4
: an adjournment of a court case to a future day

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And the bad thoughts may serve a biological purpose: because mothers who have thoughts of infanticide are more likely to compulsively check on their infants, their hypervigilance may be what has ensured the continuance of their line. Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025 Whether this comes to bite the prosecution in the long-run remains to be seen, but certainly Richard’s presence is an addition to any continuance or appeal move the defense chooses to make down the line. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 May 2025 What resulted was a seven-run inning from the Bluejays on way to the 11-4 win, marking a collapse to threaten the continuance of a season approaching the most wins in program history. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025 His team also asked for a continuance, or a postponement, of the domestic violence restraining order hearing that had been scheduled for June 4. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for continuance

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of continuance was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continuance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continuance. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

continuance

noun
con·​tin·​u·​ance kən-ˈtin-yə-wən(t)s How to pronounce continuance (audio)
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 How to pronounce continuance (audio)
: the postponement of the court proceedings in a case to a future day

More from Merriam-Webster on continuance

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