1. The quality or condition of being perpetual: "The perpetuity of the Church was an article of faith" (Morris L. West).
2. Time without end; eternity.
3. Law.
   1. The condition of an estate that is limited so as to be inalienable either perpetually or longer than the period determined by law.
   2. An estate so limited.
4. An annuity payable indefinitely.

in perpetuity

1. For an indefinite period of time; forever.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.