definitions

perennial

[ puh-ren-ee-uhl ]
/ pəˈrɛn i əl /
||

adjective

lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring: her perennial beauty.
(of plants) having a life cycle lasting more than two years.
lasting or continuing throughout the entire year, as a stream.
perpetual; everlasting; continuing; recurrent.

noun

a perennial plant: Daffodils and tulips are perennials.
something that is continuing or recurrent.

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Nearby words

peremptory challenge, peremptory exception, perencephaly, perendale, perennate, perennial, perennial ryegrass, perentie, peres, perestroika, peretz

Origin of perennial

1635–45; < Latin perenni(s) lasting the whole year through (per- per- + -enn-, combining form of annus year + -is adj. suffix) + -al1

Related forms

per·en·ni·al·i·ty, nounper·en·ni·al·ly, adverb

Can be confused

annual perennial
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for perennially

British Dictionary definitions for perennially

perennial

/ (pəˈrɛnɪəl) /

adjective

lasting throughout the year or through many years
everlasting; perpetual

noun

a woody or herbaceous plant that can continue its growth for at least two yearsCompare annual (def. 3), biennial (def. 3)

Derived Forms

perennially, adverb

Word Origin for perennial

C17: from Latin perennis continual, from per through + annus year
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for perennially

perennial

[ pə-rĕn′ē-əl ]

Adjective

Living for three or more years.

Noun

A perennial plant. Herbaceous perennials survive winter and drought as underground roots, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers. Woody perennials, including vines, shrubs, and trees, usually stop growing during winter and drought. Asters, irises, tulips, and peonies are familiar garden perennials. Compare annual biennial.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.