adj.
- lasting for a long time; enduring or continually recurring.
▸continually engaged in a specified activity:
a perennial student.
- (of a plant) living for several years. Compare with annual, biennial.
- (of a stream or spring) flowing throughout the year.
n.
a perennial plant.
Derivative
Etymology
C17 (in the sense ‘remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen’): from L. perennis ‘lasting the year through’ + -ial.