per·en·ni·al / pəˈrenēəl/ • adj. lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring: his perennial distrust of the media. ∎  (of a plant) living for several years: tarragon is perennial.Compare with annual, biennial. ∎  (esp. of a problem or difficult situation) continually occurring: perennial manifestations of urban crisis. ∎  (of a person) apparently permanently engaged in a specified role or way of life: he's a perennial student. ∎  (of a stream or spring) flowing throughout the year.• n. a perennial plant.DERIVATIVES: per·en·ni·al·ly adv.

perennial A plant that lives for a number of years. Woody perennials (trees and shrubs) have a permanent aerial form, which continues to grow year after year. Herbaceous (i.e. nonwoody) perennials have aerial shoots that die down each autumn and are replaced in spring by new shoots from an underground structure (see perennation). Lupin and rhubarb are examples of herbaceous perennials. Compare annual; biennial; ephemeral.

perennial Plant with a life cycle of more than two years. It is a common term for flowering herbaceous and woody plants, such as the lily, daisy, and all trees. See also annual; biennial

perennial XVII. f. L. perennis, f. PER-1 + annus year; see -IAL.

perennial A plant that normally lives for more than two seasons and which, after an initial period, produces flowers annually.