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

Many believed that electron beams would destroy organic molecules, but Nakamura's persistence since 2004 has shown that, under the right conditions, they can instead trigger stable, predictable reactions.

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“If one word encompasses Charles Diggs’s approach in Congress, that word is persistence,” Mr. Orr writes.

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Should Powell refer to such terms as “inflation persistence,” “premature easing” or “financial conditions too loose,” markets will interpret it as the message that rate cuts are not on the horizon anytime soon.

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The fourth-century Christian attacks on slavery were later met with vociferous defenses of the practice, and the persistence of slavery into modern times requires accounting.

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You will need patience and persistence, and a belief that your stepgrandmother kept her word and did indeed add you as a beneficiary.

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Related Words

• endurance 
• grit 
• perseverance 
• stamina 
• tenacity