lasting
Americanadjective
noun
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a strong, durable, closely woven fabric for shoe uppers, coverings on buttons, etc.
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Archaic. the quality of surviving or continuing and maintaining strength, effectiveness, etc.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of lasting
First recorded in 1125–75 lasting for def. 1; 1775–85 lasting for def. 2; Middle English (adjective); last 2 + -ing 2
Explanation
If something is lasting, it sticks around for a very long time. If you and your best pal have known each other since you were three, that's a lasting friendship. Remember that time when you wore a purple plaid shirt, a green tutu, and a top hat to school? You certainly made a lasting impression! And while using donation money to throw a fabulous party might be fun in the short term, spending the cash on new books for the school library will have more of a lasting impact. This adjective is great for things that last or continue for a long, long time.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lasting art can be mysterious and often misunderstood; this can also be said of ossuaries.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026
"Lasting progress in an income position is usually based on solid income from work, which can later make it possible to save and earn more capital," he said.
From Science Daily • Dec. 20, 2025
Lasting change happens when the people already doing the work have the tools and trust to lead and shape what comes next.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
For one, he said, it comes from a fragrant red rose known as Lasting Love, bred by French hybridizer Michel Adam.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025
Lasting less time than the massive first stage, and thrusting much more smoothly, it seemed almost like an afterthought.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
