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

The trial began in March, and has been punctuated by long continuances. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

Clenney’s trial had been scheduled for April 27, but was postponed after a joint continuance request. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

Ergo, provide the necessary support, both financial and vocal, to insure the continuance of local, regional, state, and national news platforms. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026

Every unnecessary continuance has a real cost — to victims waiting for resolution, to defendants whose lives remain on hold and to law enforcement officers pulled from their duties. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Daily News, 3 June 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