From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpersistentper‧sis‧tent /pəˈsɪstənt $ pər-/ ●○○ AWL adjective 1 CONTINUOUS[usually before noun] continuing to exist or happen, especially for longer than is usual or desirable persistent rumours persistent headaches a persistent problem persistent rain2 CONTINUOUScontinuing to do something, although this is difficult, or other people warn you not to do it If she hadn’t been so persistent she might not have gotten the job. persistent efforts Persistent offenders (=people who often break the law) face a prison sentence. —persistently adverb persistently low rainfall
Examples from the Corpus
persistent• He has a persistent cough because of his smoking.• The country has suffered from persistent economic problems.• persistent efforts to bring the warring factions together• Not withstanding a clear description of the from / to challenge as well as persistent feedback and discussion, Tom is stalled.• The U.S. trade deficit has been a persistent problem.• This lack of involution results in so called calibre persistent submucosal arteries.• The other, related mistake is the persistent tendency of Malthusians to underestimate human ingenuity.• When added to the usual treatments for this condition it cleared up persistent ulcers in 40 out of 60 cases.• It is Carney, though, deferential but persistent, who does most of the questioning. 