permanent

1 of 2

adjective

per·​ma·​nent ˈpər-mə-nənt How to pronounce permanent (audio)
ˈpərm-nənt
1
: continuing or enduring without fundamental or marked change : stable
the museum's permanent art collection
an accident causing permanent injury
2
a
: not easily removed, washed away, or erased : indelible sense 1a
permanent stains
b
: making marks that cannot easily be removed : indelible sense 1b
labeling boxes with permanent markers
permanentness noun

permanent

2 of 2

noun

: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means

called also permanent wave

Choose the Right Synonym for permanent

lasting, permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established.

lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

Examples of permanent in a Sentence

Adjective She made a permanent home in this country. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause permanent skin damage. The museum's permanent collection includes works of art from the 18th century. The transcripts will serve as a permanent record of the proceedings.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This bill seeks to make daylight savings time permanent. Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2024 One of the bullets brushed his spine and another pierced his bladder, leaving him with a permanent catheter. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
But that is still a sizable market; a 2020 analysis found that 10.5 million Americans used home hair permanents and relaxers, and clients are still having their hair relaxed at salons. Linda Villarosa Robin Miles Krish Seenivasan Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 13 June 2024 There is always a temptation to make the temporary permanent, which is why the peace government must prioritize elections. Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Affairs, 4 May 2021 See all Example Sentences for permanent 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French parmanant, from Latin permanent-, permanens, present participle of permanēre to endure, from per- throughout + manēre to remain — more at per-, mansion

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of permanent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near permanent

Cite this Entry

“Permanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permanent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

permanent

1 of 2 adjective
per·​ma·​nent ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt How to pronounce permanent (audio)
: lasting or intended to last for a very long time : not temporary or changing
permanence
-nən(t)s
noun
permanency
-nən-sē
noun
permanently adverb
permanentness noun

permanent

2 of 2 noun
: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means

Medical Definition

permanent

adjective
per·​ma·​nent ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt How to pronounce permanent (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a permanent tooth
permanent dentition

More from Merriam-Webster on permanent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!