persist

UK: /pə^rˈsɪst/ US: /pɚˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst/ ,(pər sist′, -zist′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

per•sist /pɚˈsɪst, -ˈzɪst/   v. 

1. to be persistent:
   [no object* often: ~ + in + object] persisted in breaking the rules.
2. to last or endure a long time:
   [no object] The legend of King Arthur has persisted for fifteen centuries.
3. to keep insisting in speech:
   [used with quotations] "But don't you have anything to add, Mr. President?'' she persisted.

See -sist-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

per•sist  (pər sist′, -zist′), v.i. 

1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, esp. in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.:
   to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities.
2. to last or endure tenaciously:
   The legend of King Arthur has persisted for nearly fifteen centuries.
3. to be insistent in a statement, request, question, etc.

• Latin persistere literally, to stand firm permanently, equivalent. to per- per- + -sistere, akin to stāre to stand
• 1530–40

per•sist′er, n. 
per•sist′ing•ly, adv. 
per•sis′tive, adj. 
per•sis′tive•ly, adv. 
per•sis′tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. See continue. 
• 3. insist.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

persist / pəˈsɪst/ verb (intransitive)

1. (often followed by in) to continue steadfastly or obstinately despite opposition or difficulty
2. to continue to exist or occur without interruption: the rain persisted throughout the night

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin persistere, from per- (intensive) + sistere to stand steadfast, from stāre to stand

perˈsister noun