persistence
Americannoun
-
the act or fact of persisting.
-
the quality of being persistent.
You have persistence, I'll say that for you.
-
continued existence or occurrence.
the persistence of smallpox.
-
the continuance of an effect after its cause is removed.
noun
-
the quality of persisting; tenacity
-
the act of persisting; continued effort or existence
-
the continuance of an effect after the cause of it has stopped
persistence of vision
Synonym Usage
See perseverance.
Other Word Forms
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Where the Red Fern Grows
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
30 GRE Words Beginning with "P"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But Auqib's persistence eventually changed his father's mind.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
But persistence has been a hallmark of Wrobleski’s career, dating to his college years, when he infamously bounced back from a car hitting him on a scooter, and a baseball breaking his jaw.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Dr. Andrea Brickey, Connot's advisor and a professor in the Department of Mining Engineering and Management at South Dakota Mines, praised both the research and the persistence behind it.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026
Thanks to a mix of hard work, persistence and good fortune, the Figueroas are among a small batch of displaced residents who are back thus far.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
He realized that a beaver had persistence, patience and ingenuity.
From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen
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.
