continue

verb

con·​tin·​ue kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü 

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

1

a

: keep up, maintain

continues walking

b

: 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

kən-ˈtin-yü-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• abide
• bide
• endure
• hold on
• hold up
• keep up
• last
• perdure
• persist
• remain
• run on

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

The foundation’s funding success this year will continue to spill into awards season as seven titles supported by the fund have been chosen to represent their countries at the Academy Awards. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 1 Dec. 2023

Del Rey has continued to keep busy since wrapping her brief fall tour in October. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023

International pressure mounted for the truce to continue as long as possible after weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war. —Wafaa Shurafa, arkansasonline.com, 1 Dec. 2023

International pressure has mounted for the truce to continue as long as possible after weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 1 Dec. 2023

On Wednesday, a federal judge allowed U.S. Border Patrol agents to continue cutting razor wire the state installed along the riverbank, despite the protests of Texas officials. —CBS News, 1 Dec. 2023

The franchise then continued to grow, adding The Golden Bachelor to its umbrella of shows, which includes staples The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (both returning in 2024), and The Bachelor in Paradise (which wraps its ninth season next week). —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023

In 1842, Stevens left Gettysburg for Lancaster to expand his law practice but also continued his dangerous work harboring fugitives—and running a resourceful antislavery spy ring extending throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. —Tracy Schorn, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023

Newsom added that authorities have conducted samples underneath the concrete pillars and crews will continue to fix up the site, emphasizing the work will continue around the clock. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English continuen "to persist, persevere, last, postpone (a hearing or trial)," borrowed from Anglo-French continuer, borrowed from Latin continuāre "to make continuous, extend in space, keep on with," verbal derivative of continuus "uninterrupted, continuous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

continue

verb

con·​tin·​ue kən-ˈtin-yü 

continued; continuing

1

: to do or cause to do the same thing without stopping

I continue to work hard

the weather continued hot and sunny

2

: to go on or carry on after an interruption : resume

to be continued next week

continuer

-yə-wər

noun

Legal Definition

continue

transitive verb

con·​tin·​ue

continued; continuing

: to postpone (a legal proceeding) to a future day