Persistent means continuing steadily despite difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. A persistent scientist keeps running experiments even after dozens of failures. A persistent student practices their multiplication tables every night until they finally master them.

The word captures a quality that matters enormously in life: the ability to keep going when things get hard. Thomas Edison tested thousands of materials before finding one that worked for the light bulb filament. He was famously persistent. When you're learning to ride a bike and keep getting back on after falling, you're being persistent.

Persistent can also describe something that continues for a long time, often in an unwanted way. A persistent cough keeps bothering you for weeks. A persistent problem keeps coming back no matter how many times you try to solve it. Persistent rain might cancel your outdoor plans day after day.

The related noun is persistence: “Her persistence paid off when she finally made the team.” Someone with persistence doesn't give up easily. They understand that most worthwhile accomplishments require sustained effort over time, not just a single burst of enthusiasm.