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

Related Words

• continuation 
• extent 
• period 
• span