eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nə-tē How to pronounce eternity (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Forever, to eternity, and to us. Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 God willing, in peace for all eternity. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2025 Her first movie as director, 1987’s Heaven, is a quasi-experimental work made up of old movie clips, newsreel and documentary snippets, and ruminations on eternity by a couple dozen interviewees, including her mother Dorothy and her sister Dorrie. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025 In the digital media world, four years is an eternity, and Kelly’s audience has skyrocketed since then, not only adding listeners (and viewers) on SiriusXM’s platforms, but on YouTube and other platforms, as the demand for video podcasts has grown. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eternity

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of eternity was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eternity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eternity. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

eternity

noun
eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nət-ē How to pronounce eternity (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on eternity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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