constant

1 of 2

adjective

con·​stant ˈkän(t)-stənt How to pronounce constant (audio)
1
: marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness : exhibiting constancy of mind or attachment
a constant friend
2
: invariable, uniform
a constant flow
should be stored at a constant temperature
3
: continually occurring or recurring : regular
a constant annoyance
suffers from constant headaches

constant

2 of 2

noun

: something invariable or unchanging: such as
a
: a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument
b
: a number that is assumed not to change value in a given mathematical discussion
c
: a term in logic with a fixed designation
d
: something or someone that is reliably present or available
My parents put in me in piano lessons when I was really young, so music has always been a constant in my life.Mélat
He's my constant for when I seek guidance both on a professional and personal front.Gautam Mehra
Choose the Right Synonym for constant

faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute mean firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance.

faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

faithful to her promise

loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence.

continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence.

continual showers the whole weekend

continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension.

football's oldest continuous rivalry

constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence.

lived in constant pain

incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity.

annoyed by the incessant quarreling

perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration.

a land of perpetual snowfall

perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal.

a perennial source of controversy

Examples of constant in a Sentence

Adjective He suffers from constant headaches. Her constant chatter was a nuisance. The house is in constant need of repairs. The scar serves as a constant reminder of the accident. a problem demanding constant attention The equipment should be stored at a constant temperature. He kept the car's speed constant. She has struggled to maintain a constant weight. They remained constant friends throughout their lives. Noun Her job was the one constant in her life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
And in his 10 years with the club, Jeffries has been the constant amid a bunch of change. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 Quieting the constant urge to scratch is important since itching worsens eczema. Andrea Stanley, Health, 4 Mar. 2024 Some form of cleanup performed every six months will go a long way to keep your computer’s performance from becoming a constant irritant. Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 The Walton parents were a constant support to Bill and his three siblings despite no interest in sports themselves, while West’s father and mother created a scary and cold home. Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Criterion started with LaserDisc, then moved to DVD and streaming; what’s remained constant is its seemingly bottomless love of film and commitment to supplemental materials, which Hunt conveys through director interviews as well as Criterion employees. Longreads, 1 Mar. 2024 High levels of enthusiasm are often associated with weakness, desperation and the inability to cope with life’s challenges without constant support. Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Cybersecurity experts and intelligence chiefs acknowledge that the US government is under constant attack from professional hackers abroad, many of whom are aligned with, if not directly contracted by, the hostile nations that Biden’s new executive order aims to repel. Dell Cameron, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024 One thing that has remained constant over Lauren’s two terms in the House, though, is her knack for creating controversy. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
But Kepler, who signed with the Twins as an international free agent out of Germany in 2009, has been a constant in the Twins’ clubhouse, watching as those around him come and go. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2024 The constant has always been the water, the springs, the source. Elizabeth Heath, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2024 Some represent this as the notion that the only constant in life is change. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Those have been the four constants this millennium — and the gold standard of reality TV that kicked off the unscripted broadcast network craze back in the summer of 2000 is now ready to unleash its 46th season. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Feb. 2024 Thus, in the equations of string theory, key values — such as particle masses, lambda, or the coupling constants that dictate the strength of interactions — are not fixed. Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024 Sean said the one constant in Sabina's life has been the superstar. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2024 Many Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year — timed to coincide with the first new moon on the lunar calendar — with traditions varying across the continent, but food and family are constants throughout. Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 Although the Spinners endured dozens of lineup changes since their formation 70 years ago, Fambrough was the lone constant, remaining the group’s baritone the entire time until his retirement in April 2023. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin constant-, constans, from present participle of constare to stand firm, be consistent, from com- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of constant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near constant

Cite this Entry

“Constant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constant. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

constant

1 of 2 adjective
con·​stant ˈkän(t)-stənt How to pronounce constant (audio)
1
: always faithful and true
constant friends
2
: remaining steady and unchanged
a constant temperature
3
: occurring over and over again
constant headaches
constantly adverb

constant

2 of 2 noun
: something unchanging
especially : a quantity whose value does not change under given mathematical conditions compare variable sense 1

Medical Definition

constant

1 of 2 adjective
con·​stant ˈkän(t)-stənt How to pronounce constant (audio)
: remaining unchanged
constantly adverb

constant

2 of 2 noun
: something invariable or unchanging
especially : a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument

More from Merriam-Webster on constant

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