posterity
Americannoun
-
succeeding or future generations collectively.
Judgment of this age must be left to posterity.
-
all descendants of one person.
His fortune was gradually dissipated by his posterity.
noun
-
future or succeeding generations
-
all of one's descendants
Etymology
Origin of posterity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English posterite, from Old French postérité, from Latin posteritāt-, stem of posteritās, noun derivative of posterus “coming after”; posterior, -ity
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.
Stanton is a huge and consequential personage in American history, but she has dwindled in the eyes of posterity to become a subordinate of Anthony.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
"That's the nice thing about research results – it might happen in five, 150, 500 years time. This research is there for posterity and I'm confident that smart people will use them in the future."
From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025
President Emmanuel Macron inside the Pantheon said Badinter's voice would ring out in posterity.
From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025
Predicting posterity is impossible, but “The Wayfinder” is this kind of work, modern and mythological.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025
They began posing for posterity, writing letters to us as much as to one another, especially toward the end of their respective careers.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
