per·ma·nent
ˈpər-mə-nənt 
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
: a long-lasting hair wave produced by mechanical and chemical means
called also permanent wave
Synonyms
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
Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
Throughout its presidency, India specifically sought to elevate the global South’s collective leadership abilities, emphasizing collaboration with Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa and welcoming the African Union as a permanent G-20 member with U.S. President Joe Biden’s support.
—Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
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 
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Adjective
True to that mission, the project adds trails to the site from the museum’s north, home to Robert Irwin’s permanent installation of hornbeam trees.
—Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
Throughout its presidency, India specifically sought to elevate the global South’s collective leadership abilities, emphasizing collaboration with Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa and welcoming the African Union as a permanent G-20 member with U.S. President Joe Biden’s support.
—Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 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
Articles Related to permanent
Dictionary Entries Near permanent
Cite this Entry
“Permanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permanent. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
permanent
1 of 2 adjective
per·ma·nent
ˈpərm(-ə)-nənt
: lasting or intended to last for a very long time : not temporary or changing
permanence
noun
-nən(t)s
permanency
noun
-nən-sē
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
: of, relating to, or being a permanent tooth
permanent dentition
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