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
Somewhere in the suburbs, in a house walled off from the world, three adult children are raised in captivity and perpetuity.
—
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 21 June 2024
Assuming a cost of equity capital of roughly 9% (treasury bill yield of 3.65%, beta of 1.1, assuming a risk premium of 5%), Netflix’s earnings per share earned till perpetuity would amount to $133 ($12.03/0.09).
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Population drops as severe as the one that has taken place in Florida mean the cacti's perpetuity is not guaranteed.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Ronald Reagan’s Library Legacy Archival material shows the hefty and careful investment the president and his team put into crafting his image for perpetuity.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for perpetuity 
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A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 21 June 2024
Assuming a cost of equity capital of roughly 9% (treasury bill yield of 3.65%, beta of 1.1, assuming a risk premium of 5%), Netflix’s earnings per share earned till perpetuity would amount to $133 ($12.03/0.09).
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Population drops as severe as the one that has taken place in Florida mean the cacti's perpetuity is not guaranteed.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Ronald Reagan’s Library Legacy Archival material shows the hefty and careful investment the president and his team put into crafting his image for perpetuity.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for perpetuity
Articles Related to perpetuity
Dictionary Entries Near perpetuity
Cite this Entry
“Perpetuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetuity. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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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