perpetuity
noun
per·pe·tu·i·ty
ˌpər-pə-ˈtü-ə-tē 
-ˈtyü-
plural perpetuities
1
2
: the quality or state of being perpetual
bequeathed to them in perpetuity
3
a
: 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
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Continual existence—that elusive philosophical concept is reflected in perpetuity, which traces to Latin perpetuus, an adjective meaning "continual" or "uninterrupted." The word has specific legal use. It can refer, for example, to an arrangement in a will rendering land forever incapable of being surrendered or transferred (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
But to sacrifice Negan to The Dama in theoretical perpetuity?
—
Charlie Mason, TVLine, 5 May 2025
Parks are about perpetuity, and taking care of them into perpetuity.
—Carole Rosenblat, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
He'll be stuck with these images circulating for perpetuity.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Stargate, the $500 billion effort to secure American AI supremacy for perpetuity backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman and SoftBank founder Masa Son, among others, will require a gargantuan amount of energy to power it.
—David Jeans, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetuity
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Charlie Mason, TVLine, 5 May 2025
Parks are about perpetuity, and taking care of them into perpetuity.
—Carole Rosenblat, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
He'll be stuck with these images circulating for perpetuity.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Stargate, the $500 billion effort to secure American AI supremacy for perpetuity backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman and SoftBank founder Masa Son, among others, will require a gargantuan amount of energy to power it.
—David Jeans, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetuity
Cite this Entry
“Perpetuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetuity. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
perpetuity
noun
per·pe·tu·i·ty
ˌpər-pə-ˈtü-ə-tē, -ˈtyü-
plural perpetuities
1
: the quality, state, or duration of being perpetual
devised to them in perpetuity
2
a
: 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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