perpetuity

American  

[pur-pi-too-i-tee, -tyoo-] / ˌpɜr pɪˈtu ɪ ti, -ˈtju- /

noun

• perpetuities
  plural

1. the state or character of being perpetual (often preceded byin ).

   to desire happiness in perpetuity.

2. endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity.

3. something that is perpetual.

4. an annuity paid for life.

5. Law. an interest under which property is less than completely alienable for longer than the law allows.

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perpetuity British  

/ ˌpɜːpɪˈtjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. eternity

2. the state or quality of being perpetual

3. property law a limitation preventing the absolute disposal of an estate for longer than the period allowed by law

4. an annuity with no maturity date and payable indefinitely

5. for ever

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonperpetuity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• perpetuities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of perpetuity

1375–1425; late Middle English perpetuite < Latin perpetuitās. See perpetual, -ity

Explanation

The word perpetuity means "the property of lasting forever." The perpetuity of an eternal flame means that it will burn endlessly, while an ordinary candle flame will eventually extinguish. Anything in perpetuity keeps on going and going and going. If you crash the family car and your parents ban you from driving it in perpetuity, you’re never driving that car again. First appearing in the 15th century, the noun perpetuity derives from the Latin word perpetuus meaning "continuing throughout."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

perpetuity perpetuities

And now anyone flying into Palm Beach will have a ticket where "you're going to see 'DJT' in perpetuity."

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

“We can’t just sit out in perpetuity, and I won’t,” he said in 2024.

From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026

“We give $2.5 million a year in perpetuity to the University of California, so that all California Indians can go to the University of California tuition-free.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Bob’s move signals he’ll do anything to silence her, now and in perpetuity.

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

I would remain a child, in perpetuity, always, or I would lose him.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

That said, the law tends to frown on perpetuities as well as on legislative acts that bind future legislatures, except through constitutions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2022

Actions could include the passage of a federal "rule against perpetuities," banning certain trust arrangements, and taxing income and wealth in trusts.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2021

“No more questions. I didn’t understand perpetuities in law school, and I don’t want to understand it now,” he said, laughing.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 14, 2019

He says that his insistence on perpetuity is “appropriate”—but perpetuities are never appropriate.

From Slate ● Mar. 6, 2015

The rent £8,000 a year, but re-let for £64,000 a year, by tenants that have perpetuities, perhaps the cruellest instance in the world of carelessness for the interests of posterity. 

From A Tour in Ireland 1776-1779 by Henry Morley