continue

verb

con·​tin·​ue kən-ˈtin-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce continue (audio)
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 noun
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.
Recent Examples on the Web Rescuers continued to work at the scene on Saturday, the Russian Emergencies Ministries said, including in the auditorium where the ceiling had collapsed. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 The Islamic State later lost control of its territory in Syria and Iraq, but militants have continued to carry out attacks there and abroad. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for continue 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'continue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of continue was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near continue

Cite this Entry

“Continue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continue. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

continue

verb
con·​tin·​ue kən-ˈtin-yü How to pronounce continue (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on continue

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