perpetual

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adjective per·pet·u·al \pər-ˈpe-chə-wəl, -chəl; -ˈpech-wəl\

Definition of perpetual

1a : continuing forever : everlasting perpetual motionb (1) : valid for all time a perpetual right (2) : holding something (such as an office) for life or for an unlimited time
2 : occurring continually : indefinitely long-continued perpetual problems
3 : blooming continuously throughout the season

perpetually

adverb

See perpetual defined for English-language learners

See perpetual defined for kids

Examples of perpetual in a Sentence

As always, I was struck by how the core values of the military—service and discipline, both physical and intellectual—are so different from the perpetual American Mardi Gras. —Joe Klein, Time, 29 Aug. 2005
Because Hunter had been a perpetual Peter Pan, accepting the bleak reality of his death came hard. —Douglas Brinkley, Rolling Stone, 22 Sept. 2005
He's addicted to the perpetual flux of the information networks. He craves his next data fix. He's a speed freak, an info junkie. —David Brooks, Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2001
Only after I had built to the emotional peroration culminating in the word “astonishing” was I at last sufficiently unastonished by the force of my feelings to be able to put together a couple of hours of sleep—or something resembling sleep, for, even half out of it, I was a biography in perpetual motion, memory to the marrow of my bones. —Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997
The region is in a state of perpetual war.
He seems to have a perpetual grin on his face.
the perpetual demands of parenthood

Recent Examples of perpetual from the Web

Unfortunately, in this, as in so many other areas, Congress is in perpetual flight from responsibility.

— george will, National Review, "Don’t Hold Your Breath for Congress to Take Back Its Warmaking Powers," 15 July 2017
Where Possingham finds clarity in careful cost-benefit analysis, Perlman functions in a perpetual race against time.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Extreme botany: How far should we go to save a plant species?," 5 July 2017
In both the physical and the digital world, parenting is a perpetual lesson in letting go, a daily affirmation that control is an illusion.

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "Parents Share How They Protect Their Kids Online," 29 June 2017
Allen’s long, ascetic face, with narrow eyes and raised eyebrows, lends him an expression of perpetual seriousness that belies his sardonic good humor.

— Smithsonian, "How (and Where) Did Hannibal Cross the Alps?," 28 June 2017
Keep chasing wheels, and may the perpetual light shine upon you, Casey Saunders.

— joe robertson, kansascity.com, "Elite cyclist killed in Kansas City race was a ‘tenacious but humble working guy’," 26 June 2017
That’s the Walter Jones Approach to Optimism Season, named after the perpetual holdout at left tackle in Seattle.

— greg bishop, The MMQB, "The NFL's Optimism Season," 26 June 2017
The wind rose, the nerves arrived and the USGA’s perpetual fascination with par was rewarded once again.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Nothing flashy, and that worked for Koepka," 19 June 2017
That’s a higher yield than where any other government or corporate dollar debt due in 80 years or more is trading, according to data compiled by Bloomberg that excluded perpetual securities.

— charlie devereux, Bloomberg.com, "Argentina Plans to Offer 100-Year Bonds," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perpetual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of perpetual

Middle English perpetuel, from Anglo-French, from Latin perpetuus uninterrupted, from per- through + petere to go to — more at feather

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of perpetual

continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence. continual showers the whole weekend continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension. football's oldest continuous rivalry constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence. lived in constant pain incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity. annoyed by the incessant quarreling perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration. a land of perpetual snowfall perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal. a perennial source of controversy