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

Merely because the Founders had to cut a deal to achieve an imperfect outcome does not bind the citizenry to abide by it for eternity. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026

In addition to her sapphire and diamond engagement ring—once famously worn by Princess Diana—the Princess of Wales also wears a $2,200 diamond eternity band from Annoushka. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026

In the age of Instagram, everyone’s 15 minutes of fame has turned into an eternity. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

That’s highly unlikely considering Lestat and Louis were steps away from getting back together before they were beheaded and had spared only a small moment to reckon with her spending an eternity stuck in purgatory without Madeleine (Roxane Duran). — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 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