From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpermanentper‧ma‧nent1 /ˈpɜːmənənt $ ˈpɜːr-/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective LONG TIMEcontinuing to exist for a long time or for all the time in the future OPP temporary He gave up a permanent job in order to freelance. a permanent change in your eating habits The blindness that the disease causes will be permanent. Miller soon became a permanent fixture (=someone or something that is always there) on the team. —permanence (also permanency) noun [uncountable] the permanence of parental love our desire for some sense of permanenceTHESAURUSpermanent continuing forever, for a very long time, or for the rest of your lifeShe has permanent damage to her eyesight.the search for a permanent solution to the problemThey’ve offered her the job on a permanent basis.lasting continuing for a very long time – used especially when something continues to affect someone or something for a long timeThe experience left a lasting impression on him.Things that happen in early childhood can have a lasting effect on your life. Shelley was to have a lasting influence on him. Is there any hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East?never-ending continuing so long that you think it will never end – used especially when something needs a lot of effortKeeping the house clean is a never-ending battle.It was a never-ending task.The search was never-ending.perpetual a perpetual state or feeling seems to be there all the time – used especially about something that is very annoying, worrying, or tiringFor many working mothers, balancing the demands of children and job is a perpetual challenge.The people live in a perpetual state of fear.everlasting continuing forever – used especially in the following phrasesGold is the symbol of everlasting love. He promised them everlasting life.eternal continuing forever – used especially in the following phrasesDo you believe in eternal life? the secret of eternal youthShe has my eternal gratitude (=I will always be grateful to her).You’re always the eternal optimist. (=you always think that good things will happen)
Examples from the Corpus
permanent• Only five of the firm's employees are permanent.• Kinship is binding and permanent but permits no choice of personnel, the individual must accept the relatives he has.• The fifteen Calders join seven in the museum's permanent collection, including three mobiles previously given by the Horwiches.• The car accident has caused permanent damage to her eyesight.• Draw a rough sketch and then translate them all in a permanent fashion to the wall.• In the Sahara there are great areas of sand where there are no permanent landmarks from which to construct one.• Once the customer decides to buy the software, Hewlett provides a password over the phone granting a permanent licence.• Most police departments keep a permanent record of all violent crimes committed in their area.• Mr. Lo has applied for permanent residence in the U.S.• He liked to sit seeing others, including the permanent secretaries, arguing in front of him.• In the summer they go right up into the mountains, way beyond the permanent snow-line.permanent fixture• It was one of those grey February evenings when winter seemed a permanent fixture.• Like Ross Vartian's museum, it will be a permanent fixture.• A photographers platform on the platform-less side became a permanent fixture allowing photographers to get next to the lip to capture the action.• As the only permanent fixture in a constantly changing group, Sinclair Goodlad maintains continuity and lays down the scheme's philosophy.• Let's hope he keeps it up, and makes himself a permanent fixture in the side.• Both had highly promising futures and were expected to become permanent fixtures in the Springbok side before long.• The jokes have been flying thick and fast since he became a permanent fixture on Hallowe'en.• But a room divider doesn't have to be a permanent fixture, particularly if you don't have much space.permanentpermanent2 noun [countable] American EnglishDCB a perm1From Longman Business Dictionarypermanentper‧ma‧nent /ˈpɜːmənəntˈpɜːr-/ adjective1permanent contract/job/employmentHUMAN RESOURCES a contract, job etc that is intended to continue for a long time or for everThe company has created 650 permanent jobs.He is acting chief executive, and under consideration for a permanent appointment.2permanent employee/worker/staffHUMAN RESOURCES an employee, worker etc whom a company intends to employ for a long time or for everThe company said some of the plant’s 900 permanent employees would be reassigned. → compare temporaryOrigin permanent1 (1400-1500) Latin present participle of permanere “to stay till the end” 