duration

noun

du·​ra·​tion du̇-ˈrā-shən 

 also  dyu̇-

1

: continuance in time

gradually increase the duration of your workout

2

: the time during which something exists or lasts

were there for the duration of the concert

Synonyms

• time
• lifespan
• lifetime
• life
• continuance
• date

Examples of duration in a Sentence

You should gradually increase the duration of your workout.

for the whole duration of the speech the bored audience fidgeted

Recent Examples on the Web

Residents experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or chest discomfort were advised to decrease the intensity and duration of outdoor activities. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

The vaccine itself reduces the risk, severity and duration of long COVID symptoms. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025

Many of the children were reported to have been victimized or experienced violence vicariously by the other party during the duration of the cases. —Donna Miller, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

And there is no reliable way for courts, Congress, or the public to assess the legality of these decisions due to the short duration of shutdowns and a lack of transparency. —Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see durance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing duration

• for the duration

Rhymes for duration

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

duration

noun

du·​ra·​tion d(y)u̇-ˈrā-shən 

: the time during which something exists or lasts