infinity

noun

in·​fin·​i·​ty in-ˈfi-nə-tē 

plural infinities

1

a

: the quality of being infinite

b

: unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity : boundlessness

2

: an indefinitely great number or amount

an infinity of stars

3

a

: the limit of the value of a function or variable when it tends to become numerically larger than any preassigned finite number

b

: a part of a geometric magnitude that lies beyond any part whose distance from a given reference position is finite

do parallel lines ever meet if they extend to infinity

c

: a transfinite number (such as aleph-null)

4

: a distance so great that the rays of light from a point source at that distance may be regarded as parallel

Synonyms

• eternity
• everlasting
• foreverness
• perpetuity

Examples of infinity in a Sentence

The view tapers off into infinity.

a series of numbers that continues to infinity

The night sky was filled with an infinity of stars.

Recent Examples on the Web

Of course, it could be argued that the point of the original thought experiment wasn’t to be taken as a literal method of producing great works, but just an exercise in illustrating the concept of infinity. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2024

Wide Glass gets its name from its all-glass lens, a 90mm f/8 prime that can focus from 11.8 inches (0.3 meters) to infinity. —PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024

The authors of the paper contend that when the Beveridge threshold is breached, the Phillips curve percentage of wage increases are almost vertical, tending almost to infinity. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

To the best mathematicians can tell, the actual number of primes bounces slightly above and below this curve up to infinity. —Byzack Savitsky, science.org, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English infinite, borrowed from Anglo-French infinité, borrowed from Latin infīnitāt-, infīnitās, from in- in- entry 1 + fīnis "boundary, limit, terminal point, ending" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at final entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing infinity

• infinity pool
• infinity scarf

Kids Definition

infinity

noun

in·​fin·​i·​ty in-ˈfin-ət-ē 

plural infinities

1

a

: the quality of being infinite

b

: a space, quantity, or period of time that is without limit

2

: an indefinitely great number or amount

3

: a point infinitely far away

Etymology

Middle English infinite "the quality of having no limit," from early French infinité (same meaning), derived from Latin infinitus (adjective) "having no limit," from in- "not" and finitus, past participle of finire "to limit, bring to an end," from finis "end, limit" — related to define, final, finish