'continuance' originates from Middle English and Old French (e.g. Old French 'continuance'), ultimately from Latin 'continuare'/'continuantia', where the root 'continu-' (from Latin 'continuus') meant 'uninterrupted' or 'connected together'.

'continuare' in Late Latin developed into Old French forms such as 'continuer'/'continuance' and entered Middle English as 'continuance', eventually becoming the modern English word 'continuance'.

Initially it referred broadly to the act or fact of continuing ('the state of being continuous'); over time it has retained that sense and also acquired the specialized legal sense of an adjournment or postponement.