per·ma·nent
ˈpər-mə-nənt 
ˈpərm-nənt
1
: continuing or enduring without fundamental or marked change : stable
the museum's permanent art collection
an accident causing permanent injury
2
a
: not easily removed, washed away, or erased : indelible sense 1a
permanent stains
b
: making marks that cannot easily be removed : indelible sense 1b
labeling boxes with permanent markers
permanentness
noun
: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means
called also permanent wave
Synonyms
Examples of permanent in a Sentence
Adjective
She made a permanent home in this country.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause permanent skin damage.
The museum's permanent collection includes works of art from the 18th century.
The transcripts will serve as a permanent record of the proceedings.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Chris Lawson will be working closely with me in the coming months, stepping into an interim leadership role upon my departure until a permanent leader is in place.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
Bang Bang Vintage Market For flea-market vibes, head to this beloved permanent indoor market.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
While some only visit Austin, Texas, for a weekend to get in on its comfort foods, legendary music scene, and special events like SXSW, others have been flocking to the city since 2021 to take up permanent residence.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024
The seafood chain became a permanent menu option instead of a limited-time promotion, according to ABC News.
—The Enquirer, 22 Apr. 2024
At least one national homelessness advocacy group told The San Diego Union-Tribune last week that the $1 billion-plus that Gloria proposes to pay for a new shelter might be better spent on permanent housing or keeping people housed in the first place.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
On Monday, Mayor Adams announced a plan to help find permanent housing for domestic violence victims living in city shelters with their children.
—Chelsia Rose Marcius, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The plans are supposed to detail how local officials plan to spend state funds, reduce the number of people living on the street, and boost permanent housing.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2021
Men’s basketball: Colin Castleton injury (5:10) Football: Texas & Oklahoma early jump to SEC (8:47) 3 permanents?
—Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023
The company is also making two other benefits created during the pandemic permanent: the $240 annual entertainment credit towards services like NBC's Peacock or The New York Times, and the $300 annual credit toward an Equinox gym membership or digital fitness class subscription.
—Ken Sweet, Star Tribune, 1 July 2021
If hotness is an effort to make the ephemeral permanent, then illness is a constant reminder of how nothing is forever.
—Michelle Santiago Cortés, refinery29.com, 26 June 2021
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is working on making three Slow Streets closed to through traffic during the pandemic permanent: Page, Shotwell and Sanchez streets.
—Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Feb. 2021
The salon’s services include coloring, permanents, hairstyling, highlights and shampoos.
—Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, 22 Mar. 2020
Turning loanee signings into permanents has been of top priority.
—SI.com, 12 July 2018
The decision makes permanent an earlier injunction that had temporarily blocked the law.
—Washington Post, 18 June 2018
Adjective
Thousands upon thousands of drawings, prints, photographs, Japanese paintings on silk, Chinese albums, manuscripts, Buddhist thangkas, book plates, textiles and much more cannot be on permanent view.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Chris Lawson will be working closely with me in the coming months, stepping into an interim leadership role upon my departure until a permanent leader is in place.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024
Bang Bang Vintage Market For flea-market vibes, head to this beloved permanent indoor market.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
While some only visit Austin, Texas, for a weekend to get in on its comfort foods, legendary music scene, and special events like SXSW, others have been flocking to the city since 2021 to take up permanent residence.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024
The seafood chain became a permanent menu option instead of a limited-time promotion, according to ABC News.
—The Enquirer, 22 Apr. 2024
At least one national homelessness advocacy group told The San Diego Union-Tribune last week that the $1 billion-plus that Gloria proposes to pay for a new shelter might be better spent on permanent housing or keeping people housed in the first place.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
On Monday, Mayor Adams announced a plan to help find permanent housing for domestic violence victims living in city shelters with their children.
—Chelsia Rose Marcius, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The plans are supposed to detail how local officials plan to spend state funds, reduce the number of people living on the street, and boost permanent housing.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
There is always a temptation to make the temporary permanent, which is why the peace government must prioritize elections.
—Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2021
Men’s basketball: Colin Castleton injury (5:10) Football: Texas & Oklahoma early jump to SEC (8:47) 3 permanents?
—Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023
The company is also making two other benefits created during the pandemic permanent: the $240 annual entertainment credit towards services like NBC's Peacock or The New York Times, and the $300 annual credit toward an Equinox gym membership or digital fitness class subscription.
—Ken Sweet, Star Tribune, 1 July 2021
If hotness is an effort to make the ephemeral permanent, then illness is a constant reminder of how nothing is forever.
—Michelle Santiago Cortés, refinery29.com, 26 June 2021
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is working on making three Slow Streets closed to through traffic during the pandemic permanent: Page, Shotwell and Sanchez streets.
—Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Feb. 2021
The salon’s services include coloring, permanents, hairstyling, highlights and shampoos.
—Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, 22 Mar. 2020
Turning loanee signings into permanents has been of top priority.
—SI.com, 12 July 2018
The decision makes permanent an earlier injunction that had temporarily blocked the law.
—Washington Post, 18 June 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'permanent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near permanent
Cite this Entry
“Permanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permanent. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
permanent
1 of 2 adjective
per·ma·nent
ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt
: lasting or intended to last for a very long time : not temporary or changing
permanence
noun
-nən(t)s
permanency
noun
-nən-sē
permanently
adverb
permanentness
noun
permanent
2 of 2 noun
: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means
Medical Definition
permanent
adjective
per·ma·nent
ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt
: of, relating to, or being a permanent tooth
permanent dentition
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