eternity

[ih-tur-ni-tee]

noun

plural

eternities 

1. infinite time; duration without beginning or end.

2. eternal existence, especially as contrasted with mortal life.

   the eternity of God.

3. Theology.,  the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death.

4. an endless or seemingly endless period of time.

   We had to wait an eternity for the check to arrive.

5. eternities, the truths or realities of life and thought that are regarded as timeless or eternal.

eternity

/ ɪˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. endless or infinite time

2. the quality, state, or condition of being eternal

3. (usually plural) any of the aspects of life and thought that are considered to be timeless, esp timeless and true

4. theol the condition of timeless existence, believed by some to characterize the afterlife

5. a seemingly endless period of time

   an eternity of waiting

Other Word Forms

• noneternity noun
• preeternity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eternity¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English eternite, from Latin aeternitās; equivalent to eterne + -ity

Example Sentences

There hasn’t been a parade through lower Manhattan in their honor since 2009, an eternity for an organization that has famously established a standard where any outcome other than a title is considered a failure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I got my whole life ruined. No forgiveness and all of my work stolen and called a racist for time and eternity for racially misgendering someone,” she said Tuesday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Before I die in that old people's home, I would rather go to a meadow and enter eternity that way," said Sister Bernadette.

Read more on BBC

He said the "courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity - a beacon that honours our past and guides our future".

Read more on BBC

The midterms are only 16 months away, which is both a short time and an eternity.

Read more on Salon