persistence

Often per·sist·en·cy

[per-sis-tuhns, -zis-]

noun

1. the act or fact of persisting.

2. the quality of being persistent.

   You have persistence, I'll say that for you.

3. continued existence or occurrence.

   the persistence of smallpox.

4. the continuance of an effect after its cause is removed.

persistence

/ pəˈsɪstəns /

noun

1. the quality of persisting; tenacity

2. the act of persisting; continued effort or existence

3. the continuance of an effect after the cause of it has stopped

   persistence of vision

Other Word Forms

• nonpersistence noun
• nonpersistency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of persistence¹

First recorded in 1540–50; persist + -ence

Synonym Study

See perseverance.

Example Sentences

Individually, neither would have had the necessary insights or persistence to overcome the complexity of the case.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bungalow Heaven — which became Pasadena’s first Landmark District in 1989, thanks largely to the persistence of local resident Bob Kneisel — contains more modest, middle-class dwellings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Authorities praised the persistence of investigators and the role of advanced forensic science in finally solving one of Austin’s most infamous crimes.

Read more on Salon

To track hunger each year was to acknowledge its persistence, to admit that the richest nation in the world has never managed to feed all of its citizens.

Read more on Salon

With this role, Redford showed that persistence, not bravado, could carry a movie, and that a star could trade charm for credibility without losing magnetism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• endurance 
• grit 
• perseverance 
• stamina 
• tenacity