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perpetual

adjective
per·​pet·​u·​al | \ pÉ™r-ˈpe-chÉ™-wÉ™l How to pronounce perpetual (audio) , -chÉ™l; -ˈpech-wÉ™l\

Definition of perpetual

1a : continuing forever : everlasting perpetual motion
b(1) : valid for all time a perpetual right
(2) : holding something (such as an office) for life or for an unlimited time
2 : occurring continually : indefinitely long-continued perpetual problems
3 : blooming continuously throughout the season
Other Words from perpetual Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about perpetual

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Choose the Right Synonym for perpetual

continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence. continual showers the whole weekend continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension. football's oldest continuous rivalry constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence. lived in constant pain incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity. annoyed by the incessant quarreling perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration. a land of perpetual snowfall perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal. a perennial source of controversy

Examples of perpetual in a Sentence

As always, I was struck by how the core values of the military—service and discipline, both physical and intellectual—are so different from the perpetual American Mardi Gras. — Joe Klein, Time, 29 Aug. 2005 Because Hunter had been a perpetual Peter Pan, accepting the bleak reality of his death came hard. — Douglas Brinkley, Rolling Stone, 22 Sept. 2005 He's addicted to the perpetual flux of the information networks. He craves his next data fix. He's a speed freak, an info junkie. — David Brooks, Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2001 Only after I had built to the emotional peroration culminating in the word "astonishing" was I at last sufficiently unastonished by the force of my feelings to be able to put together a couple of hours of sleep—or something resembling sleep, for, even half out of it, I was a biography in perpetual motion, memory to the marrow of my bones. — Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 The region is in a state of perpetual war. He seems to have a perpetual grin on his face. the perpetual demands of parenthood
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Every year, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day highlights our perpetual game of catch up. — Kara Stevens, Essence, "Black Women’s Pay Day Is Today. Be Mad And Get Money, Sis," 22 Aug. 2019 Massage parlors seem to be in perpetual motion, as if stuck on spin cycle. — USA Today, "Sex trafficking is behind the lucrative illicit massage business. Why police can't stop it.," 30 July 2019 The concerto’s finale combines Ginastera’s love of perpetual-motion rhythm and folkloric motif, and Kondonassis and friends made this a viscerally exciting conclusion to a most appealing work. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Grant Park Orchestra review: Radiant music amid another storm," 18 July 2019 At the age of 68, she is newly retired and has slipped into a busy routine of volunteering, scrapbooking, gardening and a hundred other activities that keep her in a state of perpetual motion. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Caregiving means evolving relationships," 18 July 2019 This is a year of perpetual motion, geared toward gaining the satisfaction that comes with confidence. — Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, "Horoscopes: July 12, 2019," 12 July 2019 Those are questions without concrete answers, as the Best Player Without a Major brings his perpetual search to Pebble Beach for this week’s U.S. Open. — Ron Kroichick, SFChronicle.com, "Rickie Fowler’s perpetual search for a major win leads him to Pebble Beach," 10 June 2019 As a bundle of perpetual motion, Aouar is truly thrilling to watch. — SI.com, "8 Players to Watch Out for at the 2019 Euro Under-21 Championship," 10 June 2019 But perpetual motion, deemed impossible by the fundamental laws of physics, was hard to swallow. — Quanta Magazine, "Perpetual Motion Test Could Amend Theory of Time," 25 Apr. 2013

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perpetual.' 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 perpetual

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for perpetual

Middle English perpetuel, from Anglo-French, from Latin perpetuus uninterrupted, from per- through + petere to go to — more at feather

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More Definitions for perpetual

perpetual

adjective
How to pronounce perpetual (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of perpetual

: continuing forever or for a very long time without stopping
: happening all the time or very often

See the full definition for perpetual in the English Language Learners Dictionary

perpetual

adjective
per·​pet·​u·​al | \ pÉ™r-ˈpe-chÉ™-wÉ™l How to pronounce perpetual (audio) \

Kids Definition of perpetual

1 : lasting forever or for a very long time a perpetual memorial
2 : occurring continually : constant perpetual arguments

Other Words from perpetual

perpetually adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on perpetual

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perpetual

Spanish Central: Translation of perpetual

Nglish: Translation of perpetual for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of perpetual for Arabic Speakers<

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