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

Parameters looked at include the type of listing being booked, the duration of the stay, the distance to the listing from the guest’s primary location and if the booking is last minute. —Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025

Congress later papered over the conflict by voting to give Lincoln the authority for the war’s duration. —Molly Redden, ProPublica, 23 May 2025

Researchers also measured participants’ meal duration, number of bites, number of chews, and chewing speed for each test.1 The results showed fairly stark differences across men and women in the study:1 Number of bites. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 May 2025

Investors don’t really have much love for long duration bonds right now. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 May 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