1. Consonant articulated by constricting (but not closing) the vocal tract
   "The 's' sound in 'sun' is an example of a continuant consonant";
   - continuant consonant

1. Of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as 'f', 's', 'z', or 'th' in both 'thin' and 'then')
   "The word 'fish' begins with a continuant sound";
   - fricative, sibilant, spirant, strident

Derived forms: continuants

See also: soft

Type of: obstruent

Antonym: plosive

Encyclopedia: Continuant