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

• date
• duration
• life
• life span
• lifetime
• run
• standing
• 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

September 2024 brought the continuance of one of the nation’s biggest problems, school shootings. —Visual Editors, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

At a brief hearing Wednesday, Acree’s attorney, Edward Berrigan of the Missouri State Public Defender’s office, asked for a continuance so that the public defenders who handle death penalty cases could be reassigned, the Kansas City Star reported. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawing slavery–except in one instance–further gave Louisiana and other states a legal opening for the continuance of slave labor. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

The big picture: The block party's continuance comes as Salt Lake City's indie music scene grows. —Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024

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

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