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• constant
  constant

  adjective

  not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable.
• Constant
  Constant

  noun

  Paul Henri Benjamin Balluat Paul d'Estournelles de Constant.

constant

¹ American  

[kon-stuhnt] / ˈkɒn stənt /

adjective

1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable.

   All conditions during the three experiments were constant.

   Synonyms:

   permanent, immutable

   Antonyms:

   changeable

2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing.

   constant noise.

   Synonyms:

   unremitting, perpetual

   Antonyms:

   fitful

3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent.

   He found it impossible to work with constant interruption.

   Synonyms:

   ceaseless, incessant

   Antonyms:

   sporadic

4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc..

   a constant lover.

   Synonyms:

   true, staunch, loyal

   Antonyms:

   unreliable

5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.

   Synonyms:

   steady

6. Obsolete. certain; confident.

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noun

• constants
  plural

1. something that does not or cannot change or vary.

2. Physics. a number expressing a property, quantity, or relation that remains unchanged under specified conditions.

3. Mathematics. a quantity assumed to be unchanged throughout a given discussion.

Constant ² American  

[kawn-stahn] / kɔ̃ˈstɑ̃ /

noun

1. Paul Henri Benjamin Balluat Paul d'Estournelles de Constant.

2. Jean Joseph Benjamin 1845–1902, French painter.

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Constant ¹ British  

/ kɔ̃stɑ̃ /

noun

1. Benjamin (bɛ̃ʒamɛ̃). real name Henri Benjamin Constant de Rebecque. 1767–1830, French writer and politician: author of the psychological novel Adolphe (1816)

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constant ² British  

/ ˈkɒnstənt /

adjective

1. fixed and invariable; unchanging

2. continual or continuous; incessant

   constant interruptions

3. resolute in mind, purpose, or affection; loyal

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noun

1. something that is permanent or unchanging

2. a specific quantity that is always invariable

   the velocity of light is a constant

3. 1. maths a symbol representing an unspecified number that remains invariable throughout a particular series of operations

   2. physics a theoretical or experimental quantity or property that is considered invariable throughout a particular series of calculations or experiments

4. See logical constant

constant Scientific  

/ kŏn′stənt /

1. A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.

2. A theoretical or experimental quantity, condition, or factor that does not vary in specified circumstances. Avogadro's number and Planck's constant are examples of constants.

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constant Cultural  

1. A number that appears in equations and formulas and does not vary or change. Examples are Planck's constant and the speed of light.

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Synonym Usage

See faithful.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonconstant
  noun
• overconstantness
  noun
• overconstant
  adjective
• quasi-constant
  adjective
• unconstant
  adjective
• constantly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• constants
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of constant

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin constant- (stem of constāns, present participle of constāre “to stand firm”), equivalent to con- con- + stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix

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Explanation

Think of something or someone that does not change as constant. A classmate's constant drumming on the table with his fingers could be a constant source of annoyance. Constant derives from Latin verb meaning "to stand with," so something constant is continually standing with you and not wavering. You may be thankful for the constant companionship of your dog but not necessarily for your teacher's constant homework assignments. In math and science, a constant is a number that is fixed and known, unlike a variable which changes with the context. That idea crosses over to real life. If a friend is a constant in your life, that means they have always been with you and there for you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

constant Constant constants

But amid the wail of near constant air raid warnings, there are still signs of people clinging on to life here.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

She has since been returned to prison but said recently that she is in constant pain.

From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2026

Some became weary of a job that demanded constant travel and being on call nonstop.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

Far below the ocean's surface, a constant snowfall drifts through the darkness.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026

Only two dogs lived in my neighborhood: Mitzy, who always rode shotgun in Mrs. Hathaway’s purse, and a Saint Bernard who was sweet but grossed me out with his constant globs of slobber.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Constant shifts in diesel prices, transportation costs and the tariff environment have emboldened business to feel justified in passing costs on to consumers, said Firrincieli, the sales manager from the logistics company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

"Constant checking, tracking or intervening may soothe the parent in the short term, but it can inadvertently communicate to the young adult: 'I am not sure you can cope without me.'"

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

Constant noise can eventually fade into the background, but initially it can be difficult to adjust.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Constant stirring helps remove air bubbles, resulting in completely transparent ice, known as "junpyo" in Japanese.

From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026

And so today, my fever has broken and I am still in my body, still aboard the Susan Constant, bound for the New World.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Despite their importance, scientists still do not know why these constants have the particular values we observe.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Trachenko's analysis showed that some physical properties governing liquid flow could change without disrupting the combinations of constants needed to produce heavy nuclei in stars.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

In a follow-up study published in January 2025 in The European Physical Journal E, Trachenko and colleagues examined how fundamental physical constants influence more complicated biological fluids, particularly blood.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

An important clue emerged in 2020, when Trachenko and his colleagues demonstrated that fundamental physical constants place a lower limit on the viscosity of liquids.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

And in this report I do not fool myself into thinking I am dealing with constants.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

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Related Words

• ceaseless
• chronic
• continual
• continuous
• endless
• eternal
• incessant
• nonstop
• perpetual
• persistent
• relentless
• sustained
• unending
• uninterrupted
• unrelenting
• unremitting

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