eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural eternities

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

Synonyms

• everlasting
• foreverness
• infinity
• perpetuity

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

Whether that’s a nontraditional center stone, or even an eternity band in place of a classic engagement ring, clients are prioritizing unique styles, budget and wearability. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 18 June 2025

A bit apparently means an eternity … 3-5 hours every d*** time. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

That’s an eternity, especially in professional sports, where one great season, even one headline, can fundamentally alter franchise values. —Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

But the space-time — the black hole itself — will never actually shrink in size even as the radiation leaks energy into the void for all eternity. —Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for eternity

• fraternity
• maternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural eternities

1

: the quality or state of being eternal

2

: endless time

3

: the state after death : immortality

4

: time that seems to be endless