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

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

On Wednesday, a Superior Court judge in Van Nuys granted a continuance in a preliminary hearing for Fraser Michael Bohn, 22, charged with four counts of murder and four counts of gross vehicle manslaughter. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 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