perpetuation
Americannoun
-
the act of causing something to continue or go on happening.
The object of the sorority, among others, is the perpetuation of good fellowship, friendship, and sisterly love among its members.
-
the act of preserving something from extinction or oblivion.
I spent many months writing the biographies of my father and grandfather to aid in the perpetuation of their memory.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of perpetuation
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin perpetuātiōn-, stem of perpetuātiō “a making uninterrupted, preservation”; see perpetuate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )
Explanation
When you make something last or keep it going as long as you can, that's perpetuation. The perpetuation of your childhood memories is helped by looking at old photographs. The perpetuation of a family's genes happens when people have children, and the perpetuation of oppression occurs when one dictator after another seizes control of a country's government. When something is made to last longer or is continued, some kind of perpetuation is going on. Both the noun and related verb perpetuate come from a Latin root, perpetuus, which means "continuous or universal."
Vocabulary lists containing perpetuation
Sapiens
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
On the Far Side of the Mountain
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Light in the Darkness
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study 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.
Kenvue said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned by the perpetuation of misinformation on the safety of acetaminophen and the potential impact that could have on the health of American women and children".
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2025
Chris Sununu is a courageous ally in the perpetuation of civil society, of the peaceful interface between business and government.
From Slate ● Sep. 19, 2025
And yet, as viewers learn by the end of "Baby Reindeer," Martha's serial-stalking tendencies are a perpetuation of pain she weathered as a child, in an ostensibly unstable home.
From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2024
Like the majority, I find myself morally unable to endorse the perpetuation of this mass atrocity.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2024
He would also be struck by the dramatically elevated significance of one particular institutional force in the perpetuation and deepening of those patterns: the criminal justice system.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
