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

As much as the movie frets about kids with a death-grip on their technological addiction, it also wants to play in perpetuity on millions of streaming devices, including an officially licensed “Toy Story”-branded tablet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

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

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

Johnson describes her actions during the war, but also details all the things Joey did for the patients at Tala, documenting it for perpetuity in the Congressional Record.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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

These trusts are often formed in U.S. states—such as South Dakota—that have suspended or altered their state "rule against perpetuities," legislation that previously limited the lifespan of a trust.

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

In Wyoming, monopolies and perpetuities, in South Dakota and Washington, monopolies and trusts, are "contrary to the genius of a free State and should not be allowed."

From Popular Law-making by Stimson, Frederic Jesup