perpetuate

verb

per·​pet·​u·​ate pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt 

perpetuated; perpetuating

transitive verb

: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely

perpetuate the species

perpetuation

pər-ˌpe-chə-ˈwā-shən 

noun

perpetuator

pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• eternalize
• immortalize

Examples of perpetuate in a Sentence

He perpetuates the myth that his house is haunted.

Fears about an epidemic are being perpetuated by the media.

Recent Examples on the Web

The distillation of only clear wines and aging in fine-grain oak barrels is crucial to perpetuating Martell's unique and distinctive style. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Like the elder Herbert’s male leads, Prophecy’s women willfully perpetuate a cycle of abused power and depravity. —Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024

While anger may be justified, unresolved anger can perpetuate cycles of division. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024

By not treating Aliyev as a war criminal, the ICC further perpetuates a sense of hypocrisy in the enforcement of the law and gives critics an opportunity to question its authenticity. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin perpetuatus, past participle of perpetuare, from perpetuus

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

perpetuate

verb

per·​pet·​u·​ate pər-ˈpech-ə-ˌwāt 

perpetuated; perpetuating

: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely

perpetuation

-ˌpech-ə-ˈwā-shən 

noun

perpetuator

-ˈpech-ə-ˌwāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

perpetuate

transitive verb

per·​pet·​u·​ate pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt 

perpetuated; perpetuating

: to preserve or make available (testimony) for later use at a trial by means of deposition especially when the evidence so gathered would be otherwise unavailable or lost

Note: Courts will not allow the perpetuation of testimony at a pretrial proceeding if it appears to be an attempt to fish for useful material.

perpetuation

pər-ˌpe-chə-ˈwā-shən 

noun