continue

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verb con·tin·ue \kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü\

Definition of continue

continued

;

continuing

intransitive verb
1 : to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action The boat continued downstream.
2 : to remain in existence : endure The tradition continues to this day.
3 : to remain in a place or condition : stay We cannot continue here much longer.
4 : to resume an activity after interruption We'll continue after lunch.
transitive verb
1a : keep up, maintain continues walkingb : to keep going or add to : prolong continue the battle; also : to resume after intermission
2 : to cause to continue chose not to continue her subscription
3 : to allow to remain in a place or condition : retain The trustees were continued.
4 : to postpone (a legal proceeding) by a continuance

continuer

play \kən-ˈtin-yü-ər\ noun

See continue defined for English-language learners

See continue defined for kids

Examples of continue in a Sentence

The team will continue with their drills until the coach is satisfied with their performance.
The world's population continues to grow.
The traditions will continue only as long as the next generations keep them alive.
The good weather continued for several days.
The lecture continued for another hour after we left.
Exit the highway, take a right off the ramp, then continue down the street until you get to the first traffic light.
Continue along this path until you come to the end.
The plot gets more and more intricate as the story continues.

Recent Examples of continue from the Web

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said the charges could change as the investigation continues.

— emily wagster pettus, The Seattle Times, "Miss. teen: He ‘loved me enough to take some bullets for me’", 30 May 2017
If current trends continue, men's U.S. shoe sales will soon surpass women's.

— virginia postrel, chicagotribune.com, "Men are the new shoeaholics", 30 May 2017
Other methods of early childhood education will most likely continue to thrive, counting on devoted legions of parents.

— dana goldstein, New York Times, "Free Play or Flashcards? New Study Nods to More Rigorous Preschools", 30 May 2017
The judge, however, said that in the meantime the county system can continue to realign the school zones for two elementary schools to address overcrowding and provide for better integration within those two campuses.

— kent faulk, AL.com, "Judge stays order: Gardendale school formation delayed", 30 May 2017
Estrada continues fine play Former Glendale Community College and current Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada battled Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish on Saturday afternoon.

— staff reports, Glendale News-Press, "Sports Briefs: Former St. Francis High standout dominates on mound", 30 May 2017
For the domestic crowd, Merkel and Seehofer played up the sense of stability of continuing a conservative government, raising the specter that Social Democratic leader Martin Schulz could forge a coalition with the anti-capitalist Left Party.

— patrick donahue, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel Tells Beer Tent Rally Europe Must Plot Its Own Course", 28 May 2017
One that lives on today and will continue to be told somewhere, somehow, because of you, the fans and the supporters.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Why It's No Surprise Netflix Canceled The Get Down After One Season", 25 May 2017
The upper stage would continue to carry the payload to orbit while the first stage—

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "DARPA and Boeing Team Up to Build a Hypersonic Spaceplane, the "Phantom Express"", 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'continue'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of continue

Middle English, from Anglo-French continuer, from Latin continuare, from continuus —see continual

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of continue

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely. continue applies to a process going on without ending. the search for peace will continue last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected. buy shoes that will last endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies. in spite of everything, her faith endured abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability. a love that abides through 40 years of marriage persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness. the sense of guilt persisted

CONTINUE Defined for English Language Learners

continue

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verb

Definition of continue for English Language Learners

: to do something without stopping : to keep doing something in the same way as before
: to stay in a job or position
: to keep happening or existing : to remain active or in existence without changing or stopping

CONTINUE Defined for Kids

continue

play

verb con·tin·ue \kən-ˈtin-yü\

Definition of continue for Students

continued

;

continuing

1 : to do or cause to do the same thing without changing or stopping The weather continued hot and sunny.
2 : to begin again after stopping After you left, I continued working.