eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nə-tē 

plural eternities

1

: the quality or state of being eternal

2

: infinite time

lasting throughout eternity

3

eternities plural : age sense 3b

4

: the state after death : immortality

5

: a seemingly endless or immeasurable time

an eternity of delays

Synonyms

• everlasting
• foreverness
• infinity
• perpetuity

Examples of eternity in a Sentence

They believed that sinners would spend eternity in hell.

We suffered through an eternity of delays during the lawsuit.

Recent Examples on the Web

In just over 20 minutes, the bag is born, experiences moments of joy, fear, loss and abandonment, and then meditates on death and eternity. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025

It was sent to space as a piece of deadweight on the inaugural test flight of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, and the vehicle is now destined to spend eternity soaring aimlessly through our cosmic neighborhood. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Traditional items on the table will include two candlesticks signifying light, a mirror representing eternity, nuts and eggs for fertility, and coins for prosperity. 8. —Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025

There, Barrichello was quickest by a full second, an eternity for an F1 lap time. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eternite, from Middle French eternité, from Latin aeternitat-, aeternitas, from aeternus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for eternity

• fraternity
• maternity
• modernity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity

Kids Definition

eternity

noun

eter·​ni·​ty i-ˈtər-nət-ē 

plural eternities

1

: the quality or state of being eternal

2

: endless time

3

: the state after death : immortality

4

: time that seems to be endless