duration

[doo-rey-shuhn, dyoo-]

noun

1. the length of time something continues or exists (often used withthe ).

2. continuance in time.

3. (in the philosophy of Bergson) a temporal continuum, intuitively known, within which the élan vital operates.

duration

/ djʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the length of time that something lasts or continues

Other Word Forms

• durational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of duration¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin dūrātiōn-, stem of dūrātiō, from Latin dūrāt(us) “lasted” (past participle of dūrāre “to last”; dure ² ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of duration¹

C14: from Medieval Latin dūrātiō, from Latin dūrāre to last

Example Sentences

“If I’d never entered the field of disaster recovery, I might think recovery was dependent upon the number of acres burned and fire duration,” said Simmons of Butte County.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s why the duration of a survey is also something to consider.

From Los Angeles Times

The astronauts will enter the Orion capsule, which will be their home for the duration of their journey.

From BBC

Students taking a four-year undergraduate education degree in maths, and technology and design, will have their tuition fees paid for the duration of their course - about £5,000 a year or £20,000 in total.

From BBC

The board determined that immigration judges had no authority to issue bonds because immigrants “who are present in the United States without admission ... must be detained for the duration of their removal proceedings.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• continuation 
• extent 
• period 
• span