/ pəˈreniəl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
continuing for a very long time; happening again and again :
the perennial problem of water shortage
that perennial favourite, hamburgers
2.
( of plants ) living for two years or more
► per·en·ni·al·ly / -niəli; NAmE / adverb :
a perennially popular subject
■ noun
any plant that lives for more than two years
—compare annual , biennial
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen ): from Latin perennis lasting the year through + -ial .