persistence
Americannoun
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the act or fact of persisting.
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the quality of being persistent.
You have persistence, I'll say that for you.
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continued existence or occurrence.
the persistence of smallpox.
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the continuance of an effect after its cause is removed.
noun
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the quality of persisting; tenacity
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the act of persisting; continued effort or existence
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the continuance of an effect after the cause of it has stopped
persistence of vision
Related Words
See perseverance.
Other Word Forms
- nonpersistence noun
- nonpersistency noun
Etymology
Origin of persistence
Explanation
Persistence is the ability to stick with something. If you practice the violin for over a year in order to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" perfectly, that's persistence! Persistence can also mean something that lasts for a very long time. The persistence of bullying, despite years of efforts by the school, has frustrated many parents. Bed bugs are known for their persistence. Despite near eradication in the 1950s, they are back and harder to eliminate than ever.
Vocabulary lists containing persistence
"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "P"
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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.
For Owens, the arc is less about vindication than persistence.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
The persistence of this faith despite repeated evidence reminds me of the famous 1950s study of cult members who kept expecting UFOs to arrive.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
One reason, Europe’s grandees increasingly agree, is the persistence of 27 separate regulatory frameworks for issuing and buying securities.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
Lagarde said the latest shock could reinforce that behavior and limit the persistence of higher inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
But persistence paid off and finally there was Renault on the line, the quiet hello, the calm voice but something else, something else.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
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.
