proximity
Americannoun
noun
-
nearness in space or time
-
nearness or closeness in a series
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of proximity
First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English; from Middle French proximité, from Latin proximitāt-, stem of proximitās “nearness, adjacent area, vicinity”
Explanation
The word proximity means nearness or closeness. "Because of the proximity of our desks, I couldn't help but notice him cheating on the exam." Your favorite thing about your neighborhood of attached row houses might be the proximity of your neighbors — they're really close to you. Proximity comes from the Latin proximus, "nearest," which also gives us approximate, "close to the actual." You can use this noun to talk about a physical closeness, or something that's near in time, like the proximity of the months April and May.
Vocabulary lists containing proximity
The Great Gatsby
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Hamilton
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1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To say the mood at Ryan Coogler’s production company Proximity Media has been euphoric would be an understatement.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026
Proximity to Los Angeles means Mt Baldy attracts experienced and inexperienced climbers, and authorities urged people to stay off the mountain, especially during such unpredictable winter weather.
From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025
Proximity to U.S. markets cuts transportation costs for goods such as autos.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
Like with cigarettes, la migra should come with a warning label: Proximity to ICE could be hazardous for your health.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025
Proximity to the condemned and incarcerated made the question of each person's humanity more urgent and meaningful, including my own.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
