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 of eternity

• perpetuity
• infinity
• foreverness

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

Ray added Heuermann will have to take his punishment to eternity. —Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 17 June 2026

This buys us days, though, not an eternity. —Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 June 2026

That was eight months ago — an eternity on Planet Diomande. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 June 2026

At 29 years old, Brunson now has two college championships, a collection of National Player of the Year Awards, an NBA title, an NBA Finals MVP crown and the core of the Big Apple for eternity. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

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