perennial

per·en·ni·al

Use perennial in a sentence

Tulips are a perennial flower.

adjective

The definition of a perennial person or thing is when they exist or are active for a whole year or a long time.
An example of perennial is a person who has lived for a long time.

noun

The definition of a perennial is something that is always present, often referring to plants.
An example of a perennial is a plant that regrows each year in the spring.

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"perennial." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 25 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial>.

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perennial. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial

perennial

lasting or active throughout the whole year
lasting or continuing for a long time: perennial youth
returning or becoming active again and again; perpetual
having a life cycle of more than two years: said esp. of herbaceous plants that produce flowers and seed from the same root structure year after year

Origin of perennial

from Classical Latin perennis, lasting through the year from per-, through + annus, a year: see per and annual

a perennial plant
a person or thing that is present continuously or reappears regularly

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MLA Style

"perennial." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 25 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial>.

APA Style

perennial. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial

perennial

adjective

a. Lasting an indefinitely long time; enduring: an author's perennial popularity among children.
b. Appearing again and again or year after year; recurrent: a perennial contender for the championship. See Synonyms at continual.
Botany Living three or more years.
Lasting or active throughout the year: a perennial stream.

noun

Botany A perennial plant.
Something that recurs or seems to recur on a yearly or continual basis: “that hardy perennial, the budget deficit” ( David S. Broder )

Origin of perennial

Latin perennis ( per- throughout ; see per- . ) ( annus year ; see at- in Indo-European roots.) -al ¹

Related Forms:

per·en′ni·al·ly
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"perennial." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 25 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial>.

APA Style

perennial. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial

Adjective

Living for three or more years.

Noun

A perennial plant. Herbaceous perennials survive winter and drought as underground roots, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers. Woody perennials, including vines, shrubs, and trees, usually stop growing during winter and drought. Asters, irises, tulips, and peonies are familiar garden perennials.

Compare annual

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MLA Style

"perennial." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 25 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial>.

APA Style

perennial. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Perennial

Adjective

(not comparable)

Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time.
a perennial stream
(botany, of a plant) Having a life cycle of more than two years. Compare annual, biennial.
(figuratively) Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; permanent; unceasing; never failing.
(figuratively) Enduring; lasting; timeless.
His artwork has a perennial beauty.
(figuratively) Recurrent; appearing or recurring again and again.
Change is a perennial theme in politics.