constant

¹

[ kon-stuhnt ]

adjective

1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable:

   All conditions during the three experiments were constant.

   Synonyms: permanent, immutable

   Antonyms: changeable

2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing:

   constant noise.

   Synonyms: unremitting, perpetual

   Antonyms: fitful

3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent:

   He found it impossible to work with constant interruption.

   Synonyms: ceaseless, incessant

   Antonyms: sporadic

4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc.:

   a constant lover.

   Synonyms: true, staunch, loyal

   Antonyms: unreliable

5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.

   Synonyms: steady

6. Obsolete. certain; confident.

noun

1. something that does not or cannot change or vary.
2. Physics. a number expressing a property, quantity, or relation that remains unchanged under specified conditions.
3. Mathematics. a quantity assumed to be unchanged throughout a given discussion.

Constant

²

[ kawn-stahn ]

noun

1. Paul Hen·ri Ben·ja·min Bal·luat [pawl ah, n, -, ree, ba, n, -zh, a, -, man, b, a, -, lwa]. Paul d'Estournelles de Constant.
2. Jean Jo·seph Ben·ja·min [zhah, n, zhaw-, zef, ba, n, -zh, a, -, man], 1845–1902, French painter.

Constant

¹

/ kɔ̃stɑ̃ /

noun

1. ConstantBenjamin17671830MFrenchWRITING: writerPOLITICS: politician Benjamin (bɛ̃ʒamɛ̃). real name Henri Benjamin Constant de Rebecque. 1767–1830, French writer and politician: author of the psychological novel Adolphe (1816)

constant

²

/ ˈkɒnstənt /

adjective

1. fixed and invariable; unchanging
2. continual or continuous; incessant

   constant interruptions

3. resolute in mind, purpose, or affection; loyal

noun

1. something that is permanent or unchanging
2. a specific quantity that is always invariable

   the velocity of light is a constant

3. 1. maths a symbol representing an unspecified number that remains invariable throughout a particular series of operations
   2. physics a theoretical or experimental quantity or property that is considered invariable throughout a particular series of calculations or experiments
4. See logical constant

constant

/ kŏn′stənt /

1. A quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.
2. A theoretical or experimental quantity, condition, or factor that does not vary in specified circumstances. Avogadro's number and Planck's constant are examples of constants.

constant

1. A number that appears in equations and formulas and does not vary or change. Examples are Planck's constant and the speed of light .

Derived Forms

• ˈconstantly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·stant·ly adverb
• non·con·stant noun adjective
• o·ver·con·stant adjective
• o·ver·con·stant·ness noun
• qua·si-con·stant adjective
• un·con·stant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin constant- (stem of constāns, present participle of constāre “to stand firm”), equivalent to con- con- + stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of constant¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin constāns standing firm, from constāre to be steadfast, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See faithful.

Example Sentences

McVay’s habit of being in constant motion dates to his childhood.

From Los Angeles Times

His passion and burly style of delivery were constant features.

From BBC

Yet AI relies on data – and data centres need constant, reliable electricity.

From BBC

His mum says she lived with constant anxiety about when the phone would next ring because of another incident at school.

From BBC

The only constant in college sports is change.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ceaseless
• chronic
• continual
• continuous
• endless
• eternal
• incessant
• nonstop
• perpetual
• persistent
• relentless
• sustained
• unending
• uninterrupted
• unrelenting
• unremitting