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

"The persistence of the clinical effects… is not consistent with the typical agents used for crowd dispersal, such as CS," he said.

Read more on BBC

Aged in stainless steel and neutral oak, it’s dry and well-balanced, with a bright but not overly assertive acidity, deft minerality and pleasingly delicate persistence in the mouth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Consumers remain frustrated about the persistence of high prices and weakening incomes,” said Joanne Hsu, director of the university’s Surveys of Consumers, in commentary about the index on the school’s website.

Read more on MarketWatch

It’s really been the persistence of the survivors, saying people really need to look at this.

Read more on Salon

The 26-year-old's progress came through persistence rather than immediate results, and she now inspires visually impaired girls in her village to play sports.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• endurance 
• grit 
• perseverance 
• stamina 
• tenacity