perpetuation
Americannoun
-
the act of causing something to continue or go on happening.
The object of the sorority, among others, is the perpetuation of good fellowship, friendship, and sisterly love among its members.
-
the act of preserving something from extinction or oblivion.
I spent many months writing the biographies of my father and grandfather to aid in the perpetuation of their memory.
Other Word Forms
- nonperpetuance noun
- nonperpetuation noun
Etymology
Origin of perpetuation
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin perpetuātiōn-, stem of perpetuātiō “a making uninterrupted, preservation”; see perpetuate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )
Explanation
When you make something last or keep it going as long as you can, that's perpetuation. The perpetuation of your childhood memories is helped by looking at old photographs. The perpetuation of a family's genes happens when people have children, and the perpetuation of oppression occurs when one dictator after another seizes control of a country's government. When something is made to last longer or is continued, some kind of perpetuation is going on. Both the noun and related verb perpetuate come from a Latin root, perpetuus, which means "continuous or universal."
Vocabulary lists containing perpetuation
Sapiens
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On the Far Side of the Mountain
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A Light in the Darkness
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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.
Vinit’s sister-in-law describes the perpetuation of his life, especially if his bodily autonomy is indeed being transferred to his ex-wife’s decision-making, as “cruel.”
From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025
He was referring to the societal and systemic factors that contribute to the perpetuation of poverty, like economic inequity, discrimination and inadequate social safety nets.
From Salon • Jan. 20, 2025
Like the majority, I find myself morally unable to endorse the perpetuation of this mass atrocity.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024
"He devoted his life to the continued perpetuation of his father's legacy," the Center said.
From BBC • Jan. 22, 2024
He would also be struck by the dramatically elevated significance of one particular institutional force in the perpetuation and deepening of those patterns: the criminal justice system.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
