What does continuation mean?
A continuation is the act or state of continuing — of something going on without interruption or being taken up again after a pause. It can also denote the thing itself that carries a process forward: a sequel to a story, a second installment of a series, or the stretch of road that extends an existing highway. The word is grammatically a noun and is neutral in tone, fitting equally well in casual speech and formal writing, from business reports to literary criticism. Common patterns include "a continuation of," which links the new thing back to what preceded it. Related words such as continue, continuity, and continual all trace back to the same Latin root meaning "to hold together." Because so much of life involves picking up where something left off — negotiations, serials, journeys — continuation is a practical, versatile term for expressing persistence, renewal, and forward motion across time.
The act or fact of continuing; the state of being continued or carried on.
"The project's continuation depends on renewed funding."
Often used with the phrase "a continuation of" to link the ongoing thing to its earlier phase.
Something that extends, resumes, or serves as a sequel to something already existing.
"Her latest novel is a direct continuation of the events in her first book."
In this sense it frequently refers to sequels, follow-up installments, or physical extensions such as roads or lines.
Standard plural form, though relatively rare; typically used for multiple sequels, extensions, or separate acts of continuing.
"The archive holds several continuations of the original manuscript."
In music, a 'continuation' isn't just a repeat — composers use it to describe how a phrase keeps moving forward rather than starting over.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of continuation
Continuation comes from Latin continuare, meaning "to join together or connect," derived from continuus ("uninterrupted, holding together"), which in turn comes from continere, "to hold together." The English noun was formed from the verb continue, borrowed from Old French continuer in late Middle English, with the noun appearing by the early modern period. Its cognates include continuity, continuous, and continual, all built on the same Latin root.
How continuation is actually used
Neutral in register and usable in both formal and everyday contexts. In legal and administrative writing it often appears in the fixed phrase "in continuation of." The plural "continuations" is uncommon but standard when referring to separate sequels or extended sections.
Easily confused with continuation
"Continuance" is chiefly legal (the postponement of a court proceeding) or refers to the duration/state of lasting on, while "continuation" is the general word for carrying something on or extending it.