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

The trial date of March 2 feels like an eternity from now for an industry on edge. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Sounds simple enough, but often those two minutes can feel like an eternity. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

And giving Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey five or so minutes (an eternity) to promote their upcoming vanity project? — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Nasmaranian’s host needs to be replaced every so often in eternity. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 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