A perennial plant is one that lives for many years, coming back season after season. Unlike annuals that sprout, bloom, and die in a single year, perennials have roots that survive winter underground. Each spring, they push up new growth. Tulips, hostas, and daylilies are all perennials: plant them once, and they'll return year after year.

The word also describes anything that keeps returning or never seems to go away. A perennial problem is one that crops up repeatedly, like forgetting to turn in homework on time. A perennial favorite is something people love year after year, like a classic book that every generation enjoys. When a sports team is a perennial contender, they're in the running for championships season after season.

Whether you're talking about a garden full of flowers that bloom every summer or a debate topic that comes up in class every year, perennial means lasting, recurring, and enduring.