perpetuity

noun

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per·pe·tu·i·ty | \ ˌpər-pə-ˈtü-ə-tē

, -ˈtyü- \

plural perpetuities

Definition of perpetuity

1 : eternity sense 2

2 : the quality or state of being perpetual bequeathed to them in perpetuity

3a : the condition of an estate limited so that it will not take effect or vest within the period fixed by law

b : an estate so limited

4 : an annuity payable forever

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about perpetuity

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Did You Know?

Continual existence—that elusive concept has made perpetuity a favorite term of philosophers and poets for centuries. The word derives ultimately from the Latin adjective perpetuus ("continual" or "uninterrupted"), which is also the source of our perpetual and perpetuate. It frequently occurs in the phrase "in perpetuity," which essentially means "forever" or "for an indefinitely long period of time." Perpetuity also has some specific uses in law. It can refer to an arrangement in a will rendering land forever inalienable (or at least, for a period longer than is set by rules against such arrangements) or to an annuity that is payable forever.

Examples of perpetuity in a Sentence

lands that should remain in their wild state in perpetuity

Recent Examples on the Web If restoration occurs, Tenakhongva said the coalition will then seek legislation that will permanently protect the monument’s boundary in perpetuity. — AZCentral.com, "Public lands activists hope Biden will permanently halt Grand Canyon uranium mines, restore monuments," 18 Jan. 2021 But Rid points out that in many cases, the data might be available on a dark web site for only a short time, making DDoSecrets' decision to preserve it in perpetuity more ethically fraught. — Andy Greenberg, Wired, "Anti-Secrecy Activists Publish a Trove of Ransomware Victims' Data," 6 Jan. 2021 AstraZeneca has promised to supply hundreds of millions of doses to low and middle-income countries, and to deliver the vaccine on a not-for-profit basis to those nations in perpetuity. — Virginia Langmaid And Angela Dewan, CNN, "WHO approves Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in breakthrough for developing nations," 1 Jan. 2021 Symphony Woods is part of the Columbia Association’s open space system held in perpetuity for the benefit of you, the residents of Columbia. — baltimoresun.com, "Letter: Columbia Association is right on trying to stop Symphony of Lights event | READER COMMENTARY," 24 Dec. 2020 In fact, Facebook could arguably be considered a natural monopoly, in that the company takes advantage of powerful network effects that, absent regulatory intervention, establish it as the dominant market player in perpetuity. — Dipayan Ghosh, Wired, "Nice Try, Facebook. iOS Changes Aren’t Bad for Small Businesses," 24 Dec. 2020 First, there are anonymous American trusts, which states like South Dakota sell by the billion-dollar boatload, allowing purchasers—including Chinese oligarchs, who’ve recently begun flocking to the state—to remain anonymous in perpetuity. — Casey Michel, The New Republic, "How to Make Kleptocrats Fear America Again," 23 Dec. 2020 That means the films will be preserved in perpetuity by the registry. — SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: ‘This is a big day’," 15 Dec. 2020 Companies whose offerings fall at the low end of the replacement-value spectrum will remain low-valued in perpetuity. — William Levin, National Review, "Why Are Tech Stocks at Record Highs?," 11 Dec. 2020

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

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Last Updated

1 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Perpetuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetuity. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for perpetuity

perpetuity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of perpetuity

formal : the state of continuing forever or for a very long time

See the full definition for perpetuity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

perpetuity

noun

per·pe·tu·i·ty | \ ˌpər-pə-ˈtü-ə-tē, -ˈtyü-

plural perpetuities

Legal Definition of perpetuity

1 : the quality, state, or duration of being perpetual devised to them in perpetuity

2a : the condition of a future estate limited in such a way as not to vest within the period fixed by law for the vesting of an estate also : a limitation that gives rise to such a situation

b : an estate that will not vest within the period fixed by law — see also rule against perpetuities, statutory rule against perpetuities

3 : an annuity payable forever

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