impermanence

American  

[im-pur-muh-nuhns] / ɪmˈpɜr mə nəns /

Rarely impermanency

noun

1. the fact or quality of being temporary or short-lived.

   The novel poignantly explores the impermanence of childhood—the ebb and flow of memories and experiences that make up our disappearing past.

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Etymology

Origin of impermanence

First recorded in 1790–1800; equivalent to im- ² ( def. ) + permanence ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impermanence

In my favor: though not a Buddhist, I am intellectually, if not spiritually, drawn to Buddhism’s doctrines of suffering, impermanence and nonattachment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

England have described the arrangement for the second Test as "interim", and its impermanence seems important.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

Or, as Long put it, “embracing the rare imperfections and impermanence of it all.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2025

Dahlia Lithwick: The book is deliberately rooted in this paradox of permanence and impermanence.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2025

I want to be back in the motel, back on the road, in my old rootless life of impermanence and safety.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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