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

• continuance
• date
• life
• life span
• lifetime
• run
• standing
• time

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

The takeaway is both profound and accessible: the body responds to frequency, not just duration. —Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Researchers measured the occurrence and durations of the dogs' gaze at their owners after hearing a familiar phrase. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

Some new appliances have over a dozen cycles, and then there are a slew of other things to consider, including water temperature, spin speed, cycle duration, and agitation. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025

Experts agree that an important key to rebuilding salmon runs is increasing the frequency and duration of shallow flooding in riverside riparian areas, or even fallow rice paddies — a program Katz has helped develop through his career. —Alastair Bland | Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 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