lasting
Americanadjective
noun
-
a strong, durable, closely woven fabric for shoe uppers, coverings on buttons, etc.
-
Archaic. the quality of surviving or continuing and maintaining strength, effectiveness, etc.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- lastingly adverb
- lastingness noun
- unlasting adjective
Etymology
Origin of lasting
First recorded in 1125–75 lasting for def. 1; 1775–85 lasting for def. 2; Middle English (adjective); last 2 + -ing 2
Explanation
If something is lasting, it sticks around for a very long time. If you and your best pal have known each other since you were three, that's a lasting friendship. Remember that time when you wore a purple plaid shirt, a green tutu, and a top hat to school? You certainly made a lasting impression! And while using donation money to throw a fabulous party might be fun in the short term, spending the cash on new books for the school library will have more of a lasting impact. This adjective is great for things that last or continue for a long, long 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.
Vance heads to Pakistan this week with orders from President Donald Trump to turn the shaky Iran ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
When the multilateral development bank finalized its forecasts on March 10, it envisaged the conflict lasting around 1 month, with disruptions gradually easing thereafter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Together with a delegation of deeply mistrusting negotiators from Tehran, Vance is tasked with striking a lasting peace between rival nations that have failed to keep promises made days ago in a delicate last-minute ceasefire.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is visiting allies in the Gulf, last night meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who agreed on the need for a lasting peace.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Screams and smoke from the powder rised up to the top of the tent, and, truth told, my scream was ’mongst the loudest and longest lasting!
From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis
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.
