1no object Persist in an activity or process.

1. 1.1 Remain in existence or operation.
   discussions continued throughout the year

   Example sentencesExamples

   • We will continue with these operations to protect the public.
   • It is extraordinary that the discussions continued throughout the day and, indeed, the night.
   • The recovery and clear-up operation continued through the rest of the day and deep into the night.
   • He added that the rescue operation would continue throughout today and promised a full investigation into what happened.
   • The tourism development at Eastern Passage has been scaled back to an eight-month operation, rather than continuing on a year-round basis.
   • That radio call set off a recovery operation that is still continuing.
   • The 46 per cent burns he suffered on that day have required a series of operations, which continue to this day.
   • This cycle continues throughout the security operation as events dictate.
   • Cleaning, maintenance and service operations will continue throughout the warm-down period.
   • Now the first is gone, the second will soon be gone and if the trend continues, the existence of the third will be in danger as well.
   • A massive clean-up operation is continuing in many parts of the city after Hallowe'en bonfires wreaked havoc in a number of green areas on Sunday night.
   • Police in Wiltshire are continuing with the operation and more charges and arrests are expected within the next month.
   • While lifting the need for a joint venture partner in order to set up operations, there will continue to be a limit on branch openings.
   • He said that it was unlikely families would be able to visit the scene of the attacks while the recovery operation continues but that he hoped they would be able to trace their loved ones.
   • It was unable to open its doors early today as the huge clean-up operation continued.
   • Brian, what do you know at this time about how long this operation may continue?
   • While a clean-up operation continues, teachers are compiling lists of missing items.
   • Well, Miles, that's the latest that we have - that it isn't over, that the operation continues.
   • The company has closed its commercial printing operation but continues to sell print capacity on an out-sourced basis.
   • As the operation continues, calls have been received from local residents expressing sympathy for those who have died.

   Synonyms

   go on, carry on, extend, run on, drag on

   keep up, hold, prevail, subsist

   last, endure, go on, be prolonged, live on, survive

   abide
2. 1.2 Remain in a specified position or state.
   they have indicated their willingness to continue in office

   with complement the weather continued warm and pleasant

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He was to continue to hold this position until his own death.
   • The wait continues for a positive ID on the human remains found in North Carolina.
   • Are you willing to continue in the position if the President nominates you again?
   • Confronted with a red traffic light at the junction with Little Queen Street he swerved around waiting vehicles and continued.
   • Let's hope the weather continues to play a positive role.
   • This continued to be the position at the time of the hearing.
   • He continued briefly at his position after his arrest in October of last year.
   • I believe that by passing this legislation we will continue to maintain that position.
   • This means the divot should start at the impact position and continue ahead of it.
   • The hot weather looks set to continue for the rest of the week and into the weekend.
   • The breadth of the billing confirms how many genres around the world continue to be warmed by it.
   • Before continuing, they warmed their cold bodies around the morning fire.
   • The company's cash position continued to weaken over the last quarter, due to cash spent on acquisitions.
   • The most important thing is that we stay positive and continue to try and play the passing game that has got us into this position.
   • A cadenced curve of arched boxes undulates around the auditorium and continues in an arcade behind the stage.
   • The pair were verbally abused and had stones thrown at them when they confronted the gang, who continued to hang around for more than an hour.
   • If the weather continues to get warmer and the ice caps continue to melt, the level of the sea would rise and several of the sea ports that we know would be submerged.
   • The heavy dew at this time of year reduces the need for watering but check if the weather continues to be warm and dry.
   • In the office market, western Europe continued to strengthen its position last year.
   • Recruitment for the remaining forum positions is continuing.

   Synonyms

   remain, stay, carry on, keep going
3. 1.3with object Carry on with (something that one has begun)
   the Archive has continued its programme of research

   Example sentencesExamples

   • During his time in custody he had begun a detoxifying programme and wanted to continue it.
   • Workers employed by a property cleaning service are continuing the strike they began on May 29.
   • When the U.S. economy begins and continues a strong recovery over a period of time, will they prosper?
   • Thus I cannot see that there is any valid argument to support continuing the current practice of allowing the vile habit of Smoking in areas where the Public cannot avoid being.
   • If its funding crisis continues it may well begin to lag behind others in building a profitable customer base.
   • All that is needed is the stated readiness of the offender to begin and then continue treatment.
   • Maxwell also continued work he had begun at Aberdeen, considering the kinetic theory of gases.
   • As the album continues it begins to slow down and focus more, the twists and turns occurring a little less frequently.
   • He arrived in the country two years ago, to continue work he began elsewhere.
   • Secondly, members will examine how to continue the dialogue begun in Barbados.
   • As May begins, Mercury is continuing the poor apparition it made in April, hanging low in the east at sunrise.
   • The foursome came to Toronto last week to promote the film, continuing a collaboration that began right after auditions.
   • Steve and others honor him by continuing the work Rob began.
   • The program is accredited and graduates can begin or continue study towards a college degree.
   • The next cadence of the song began and Elizabeth continued her singing quietly.
   • Chambermaids in France are continuing the strike they began on March 7.
   • Nevertheless, the work he began was continued by the banks which had offered him credit.
   • Doctors are continuing their strike that began on January 14 in protest over low pay and growing workloads.
   • However, both drivers obtained good information on the tyres, and we continue the set-up work begun yesterday.
   • His gaze lifted, and he began walking, continuing his aimless trek around Seattle.

   Synonyms

   maintain, keep up, sustain, keep going, keep alive, preserve, prolong, extend, protract, perpetuate

   retain
4. 1.4with adverbial of direction Carry on travelling in the same direction.
   they continued northwards to Glasgow

   Example sentencesExamples

   • While humming to herself happily, she continued walking in the direction of her next class.
   • We have to make sure that he is denied the opportunity to continue moving in this direction.
   • Justin pulled onto the main road and continued into the correct direction towards the highway.
   • These losses will keep rising as the bear market continues its relentless path to a distant future bottom.
   • On the northeast side of the stope a small drift continued in a northeast direction.
   • Her slow travel on the ground continued for a while, and then she stood up.
   • Instead, all he received was yet another eye roll as I continued in the direction of my dorm.
   • Let us all hope that the journey will continue in the right direction.
   • Not only that, but in both states, rain continued to travel downward rather than upward.
   • At the key intersection the road signs direct travelers to either continue west or turn south.
   • The drive northwards will continue as the old North / South divide narrows.
   • He took a turn in the right direction, and continued to drive me home.
   • This makes perfect sense to your maintenance man, so Frank continues in the direction he proposed.
   • They tried to continue on the main path, but the roots and branches had grown over many paths so they couldn't get through.
   • After taking in the views, the walk continues in the same direction northwards from the summit towards a wall on top of the plateau.
   • They walk off the road in various directions and continue blithely on their way.
   • As it passed us, it turned counterclockwise, but continued to travel in a straight line.
   • Yet we know from history that lines on graphs don't continue in the same direction forever.
   • Tom, who told the Evening Press he did not want to comment, was believed to be continuing his travels down river today.
   • I wrinkled my nose in her general direction and continued to my locker at the far end of the hallway.

   Synonyms

   move, go, come, walk, proceed, progress, travel, advance, get, make it, make one's way, pass, make a move, drive

2Recommence or resume after interruption.

1. 2.1no object Carry on speaking after a pause or interruption.
   I told him he was obstructing the enquiry and he let me continue

   with direct speech ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance,’ he continued

   Example sentencesExamples

   • There was a long pause before he continued and Raven thought she felt him looking at her.
   • He paused before continuing, ‘Was it just me, or did Chloe look awfully pale in there?’
   • There was a slight pause before she continued, this time in a warmer tone.
   • He paused before continuing, pleased she hadn't snapped at him yet.
   • There was another long pause before he continued, during which Faith felt both tingles of anticipation and dread.
   • He visibly flinched at the mention of that war but continued after an imperceptible pause.
   • She paused and continued finally after the class stared at her for seemed like a very long time.
   • I paused, then continued, assured that my prods would send him back to the castle.
   • Here he pauses, then continues, sounding like a cook admitting that a recipe is deceptively simple.
   • It's a test, designed to provoke an emotional response. Shall we continue?
   • Before continuing, let me pause to address a certain issue.
   • Tianna bit her lip again and paused before continuing.
   • He pauses but continues to speak so fluently that Stephanie almost thinks he's reading from a script.
   • The pause continues until he determines that it is time to speak again.
   • Leaning against the car's roof once more he paused before continuing. ‘A message for you.’
   • Miranda sighed and paused hesitantly before continuing.
   • He paused before continuing, ‘At least, the childhood you prepared for me.’
   • He politely checked the mobile with a quick glance each time, then continued without a pause.
   • After a brief pause she continues, ‘Well, if you have the time, I would like to have a word with you’.
   • He paused before continuing, and smirked, pointing at Amara.
2. 2.2US Law with object Postpone or adjourn (a legal proceeding)
   the case was continued without a finding until August 2

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Police later said that they would apply for a warrant and continue legal proceedings.
   • The English Court would not be offended if a claimant were enjoined from commencing or continuing proceedings in England in breach of an agreement to arbitrate in another contracting state.
   • The statutory safeguards only operate when the employee is contractually precluded from bringing or continuing proceedings.
   • The 1989 Act makes no specific reference to the doctrine of part performance, neither continuing it nor abolishing it.
   • The state court then continues the proceedings in light of that opinion.

   Synonyms

   put to one side, lay aside, pigeonhole, stay, stand over, keep in abeyance, suspend, mothball