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continue

verb
con·​tin·​ue | \ kÉ™n-ˈtin-(ËŒ)yü How to pronounce continue (audio) \
continued; continuing

Definition of continue

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 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
Other Words from continue Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about continue

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Other Words from continue

continuer \ kÉ™n-​ˈtin-​yü-​É™r How to pronounce continuer (audio) \ 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The hurricane center in Miami says Dorian will continue to approach the South Carolina coast Wednesdy night and then move near or over the coast of the Carolinas on Thursday and Friday. — Washington Post, "The Latest: Dorian a flood, storm surge threat to US Coast," 5 Sep. 2019 Starbucks will continue to offer similar training to managers moving forward, Kelly said. — Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, "Starbucks plans to improve US employees' mental health benefits," 5 Sep. 2019 Download the NBC News app for breaking news Forecasters said Dorian would continue hugging the Atlantic coast, arriving near extreme southeastern New England on Friday night and Saturday morning. — NBC News, "North Carolina coast told to shelter in place as Hurricane Dorian hits with high winds, rain," 5 Sep. 2019 Girls soccer continues at 7 p.m. Friday when St. Paul’s and Dulaney kick off the two-day IAAM Challenge, a showcase with the top IAAM schools going against some of the area’s top public schools. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Mercy to introduce new field with girls soccer showcase," 4 Sep. 2019 Quillen said the search for the remaining missing man would continue until sundown Tuesday, with authorities using two boats, two airboats, drones and searchers to scour the riverbanks and shallows. — chicagotribune.com, "4 dead, including 6-year-old boy, after boat capsizes along river in central Indiana," 3 Sep. 2019 However, if that’s not happening for whatever reason, continue to do you. — SELF, "You Want to Eat Healthier. Your Partner Does Not. Here's How to Handle That," 3 Sep. 2019 She's continued her friendship with Meghan, even after the Duchess settled into her new life on the other side of the Atlantic. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle's Close Friend Jessica Mulroney Pays Tribute to Princess Diana," 3 Sep. 2019 Welch’s successor, Jeff Immelt, continued to preach the gospel of Six Sigma, but without the same missionary zeal of its early days. — Oliver Staley, Quartz at Work, "Whatever happened to Six Sigma?," 3 Sep. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of continue

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

History and Etymology for continue

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

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More Definitions for continue

continue

verb
How to pronounce continue (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of continue

: 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

See the full definition for continue in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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