perpetuity
Americannoun
plural
perpetuities-
the state or character of being perpetual (often preceded byin ).
to desire happiness in perpetuity.
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endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity.
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something that is perpetual.
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an annuity paid for life.
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Law. an interest under which property is less than completely alienable for longer than the law allows.
noun
-
eternity
-
the state or quality of being perpetual
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property law a limitation preventing the absolute disposal of an estate for longer than the period allowed by law
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an annuity with no maturity date and payable indefinitely
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for ever
Other Word Forms
- nonperpetuity noun
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."
Vocabulary lists containing perpetuity
Vocabulary from the Magna Carta on its 800th Anniversary
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"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner
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Lincoln Inaugural Address (March 1861)
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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.
"On paper, this was another thunderclap quarter. And yet the stock dipped. The market is no longer pricing growth. It is pricing perpetuity."
From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026
On Thursday, he plans to unveil what he is calling a Board of Peace that aims to supplant the United Nations—and be led by him, in perpetuity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026
The idea that loved ones are laid to rest in their grave in perpetuity may be romantic, but in many cases may need to be overturned.
From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025
He could do this because while the government owns the building, the Catholic Church has a right to use it in perpetuity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025
And if it can’t end, then it should at least continue into perpetuity like the adventures of Staff Sergeant Max Mayhem’s platoon.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
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.
