6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Continental means existing or happening in the American colonies during the American Revolution. [AM ] □ …George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army.
7 N‑COUNT Continentals were soldiers who fought in the Continental Army against the British in the American Revolution. [AM ]
co n|ti|nen|tal brea k|fast (continental breakfasts ) N‑COUNT A continental breakfast is breakfast that consists of food such as bread, butter, jam, and a hot drink. There is no cooked food.
co n|ti|nen|tal dri ft N‑UNCOUNT Continental drift is the slow movement of the Earth's continents towards and away from each other.
co n|ti|nen|tal she lf N‑UNCOUNT The continental shelf is the area which forms the edge of a continent, ending in a steep slope to the depths of the ocean. □ …the deep water off the Continental Shelf.
con|tin|gen|cy /kənt I ndʒ ə nsi/ (contingencies )
1 N‑VAR A contingency is something that might happen in the future. [FORMAL ] □ I need to examine all possible contingencies.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A contingency plan or measure is one that is intended to be used if a possible situation actually occurs. [FORMAL ] □ We have contingency plans.
con|tin|gent /kənt I ndʒ ə nt/ (contingents )
1 N‑COUNT A contingent of police, soldiers, or military vehicles is a group of them. [FORMAL ] □ There were contingents from the navies of virtually all E.U. countries.
2 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A contingent is a group of people representing a country or organization at a meeting or other event. [FORMAL ] □ The strong British contingent suffered mixed fortunes.
3 ADJ If something is contingent on something else, the first thing depends on the second in order to happen or exist. [FORMAL ] □ [+ on/upon ] In effect, growth is contingent on improved incomes for the mass of the low-income population.
con|tin|ual /kənt I njuəl/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A continual process or situation happens or exists without stopping. □ The school has been in continual use since 1883. □ Despite continual pain, he refused all drugs. ● con|tinu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ She cried almost continually and threw temper tantrums.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Continual events happen again and again. □ …the government's continual demands for cash to finance its chronic deficit. □ She suffered continual police harassment. ● con|tinu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Malcolm was continually changing his mind.
con|tinu|ance /kənt I njuəns/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The continuance of something is its continuation. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …thus ensuring the continuance of the human species.
con|tinu|ation /kənt I njue I ʃ ə n/ (continuations )
1 N‑VAR [usu with poss] The continuation of something is the fact that it continues, rather than stopping. □ [+ of ] It's the coalition forces who are to blame for the continuation of the war.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something that is a continuation of something else is closely connected with it or forms part of it. □ [+ of ] It would just be a continuation of previous visits he has made to Israel.
con|tinue ◆◆◆ /kənt I njuː/ (continues , continuing , continued )
1 VERB If someone or something continues to do something, they keep doing it and do not stop. □ [V to-inf] I hope they continue to fight for equal justice after I'm gone. □ [V to-inf] Interest rates continue to fall. □ [V v-ing] They are determined to continue working when they reach retirement age. □ [V + with ] There is no reason why you should not continue with any sport or activity you already enjoy.
2 VERB If something continues or if you continue it, it does not stop happening. □ [V ] He insisted that the conflict would continue until conditions were met for a ceasefire. □ [V n] Outside the building people continue their vigil, huddling around bonfires. □ [V -ed] …the continued existence of a species.
3 VERB If you continue with something, you start doing it again after a break or interruption. □ [V + with ] I went up to my room to continue with my packing. □ [V v-ing] She looked up for a moment, then continued drawing.
4 VERB If something continues or if you continue it, it starts again after a break or interruption. □ [V ] He denies 18 charges. The trial continues today. □ [V n] Once, he did dive for cover but he soon reappeared and continued his activities.
5 VERB If you continue , you begin speaking again after a pause or interruption. □ [V with quote] 'You have no right to intimidate this man,' Alison continued. □ [V ] Tony drank some coffee before he continued. □ [V ] Please continue.
6 VERB If you continue as something or continue in a particular state, you remain in a particular job or state. □ [V + as ] He had hoped to continue as a full-time career officer. □ [V prep] For ten days I continued in this state.
7 VERB If you continue in a particular direction, you keep walking or travelling in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] He continued rapidly up the path, not pausing until he neared the house.
con|ti nu|ing edu|ca |tion N‑UNCOUNT Continuing education is education for adults in a variety of subjects, most of which are practical, not academic.
con|ti|nu|ity /kɒ nt I njuː I ti, [AM ] -nuː -/ (continuities )
1 N‑VAR Continuity is the fact that something continues to happen or exist, with no great changes or interruptions. □ An historical awareness also imparts a sense of continuity. □ [+ of ] …a tank designed to ensure continuity of fuel supply during aerobatics.