permanence

American  

[pur-muh-nuhns] / ˈpɜr mə nəns /

noun

1. the condition or quality of being permanent; perpetual or continued existence.

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permanence British  

/ ˈpɜːmənəns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being permanent

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpermanence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of permanence

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word permanentia. See permanent, -ence

Explanation

Permanence is when something sticks around forever, like your mother's love or the smell of smoke after you accidentally start a fire in your kitchen. Something can give the impression of permanence, even if it isn't literally infinite, like a massive stone castle or a pesky neighbor who always seems to be hanging around. The noun permanence comes from permanent, which in Latin means "remaining to the end," from the roots per, "through," and manere, "remain or stay."

Example Sentences

So there’s a desperate search for the Permanence Code that will eliminate the time constraint.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Permanence was never assured for this project, especially in the early days.

From Washington Post • Jun. 4, 2021

Permanence — and what we choose to commemorate — has preoccupied Trethewey for decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2020

Permanence is not the only way to measure significance.

From Slate • Nov. 30, 2016

It is no mere hypothesis of science, still less a figment of the metaphysician's imagination, or an outpouring of a poet's inspiration, that Permanence is the indispensable postulate of the commonest facts of material existence.

From Morality as a Religion An exposition of some first principles by Sullivan, W. R. Washington

Related Words

• perpetuation