Definition of perpetuity
perpetuities
From the M-W Editors
perpetuity was our Word of the Day on 12/18/2015. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of perpetuity in a Sentence
lands that should remain in their wild state in perpetuity
Recent Examples of perpetuity from the Web
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In the settlement, which left the tobacco industry immune from future state and federal suits, the companies agreed to make annual payments to the states, in perpetuity, to fund public-health programs and anti-smoking campaigns.
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The French no longer had the means to ensure the care of that memorial in perpetuity.
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The original assumption was that seven gTLDs would operate in perpetuity, without the need to create any more.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of perpetuity
Middle English perpetuite, from Anglo-French perpetuité, from Latin perpetuitat-, perpetuitas, from perpetuus
First Known Use: 15th century
PERPETUITY Defined for English Language Learners
perpetuity
playDefinition of perpetuity for English Language Learners
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: the state of continuing forever or for a very long time
Law Dictionary
perpetuity
playLegal Definition of perpetuity
perpetuities
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
Learn More about perpetuity
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See words that rhyme with perpetuity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perpetuity Spanish Central: Translation of perpetuity Nglish: Translation of perpetuity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perpetuity for Arabic speakers
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