eternity

noun
eter·​ni·​ty | \ i-ˈtər-nə-tē How to pronounce eternity (audio) \
plural eternities

Definition of eternity

1 : the quality or state of being eternal
2 : infinite time lasting throughout eternity
3 eternities plural : age sense 3b
4 : the state after death : immortality
5 : a seemingly endless or immeasurable time an eternity of delays

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Examples of eternity in a Sentence

They believed that sinners would spend eternity in hell. We suffered through an eternity of delays during the lawsuit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, the Patriots’ season starts in January, and from now until then is an eternity as far as Brown’s behavior goes. Gary Gramling, SI.com, "Do Not Embrace the Tank, the Patriots Are Not Magical, Who’s Playing in Super Bowl 54," 8 Sep. 2019 Life Beyond the Breakup Spoiler alert from almost two decades ago: Buffy and Angel’s love didn’t last for all undead eternity. Ruth Kinane, EW.com, "Angel cast and creators reunite for 20th anniversary of beloved vampire drama series," 20 June 2019 Guilt, shame and penitence for eternity seems fair. Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Hickenlooper should hold aim for Cabinet post; What about us, Chase Bank?; A price too high to pay?; Epstein’s fate; Dangerous decision on scooters (8/15/19)," 15 Aug. 2019 Ray's wishes were to spend eternity at the beach, so his ashes will be spread privately at the convenience of the family. courant.com, "Ray Southland," 26 July 2019 At least the California midcentury abode they’ve been assigned to for eternity is a conversation piece. Ingela Ratledge Amundson, WSJ, "12 TV Series Whose Sets Will Intoxicate Design-Minded People," 21 June 2019 But in athletics, and especially in the NFL, 20 years is an eternity. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "20 years later, Barry Sanders 'not sure' he'd change his retirement," 22 July 2019 After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Stranger Things season 3 is finally here. Rachel Paige, refinery29.com, "Untangling Stranger Things 3's Giant Eleven Twist & Everything It Changes," 5 July 2019 Seven-year-old Alondra was hauled off to stay with one of her mom’s friends for what seemed like an eternity, but was maybe days or weeks. Leila Atassi, cleveland.com, "Alondra Rivera begins therapy to unpack a lifetime of trauma: A Greater Cleveland," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eternity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of eternity

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for eternity

Middle English eternite, from Middle French eternité, from Latin aeternitat-, aeternitas, from aeternus

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More Definitions for eternity

eternity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of eternity

: time without an end
: a state that comes after death and never ends
: time that seems to be without an end

eternity

noun
eter·​ni·​ty | \ i-ˈtər-nə-tē How to pronounce eternity (audio) \
plural eternities

Kids Definition of eternity

1 : time without end
2 : the state after death
3 : a period of time that seems endless I waited an eternity.

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