Continuant definition

(phonet.) A speech sound that can be prolonged as long as the breath lasts, with no significant change in the quality of the sound: continuants include fricatives (s, f, , etc.), nasals (m, n, ŋ), liquids (l, r), and vowels.

A consonant, such as (s), (z), (m), or (l), that can be prolonged as long as the breath lasts without a change in quality.