duration

noun

du·​ra·​tion du̇-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce duration (audio)
 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And since the sun will appear to describe such a high arc across the sky, the duration of daylight will be at its most extreme, lasting exactly 15 hours. Joe Rao, Space.com, 19 June 2025 This tactic bumped our average session duration by 20%. Vaibhav Kakkar, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 The patent details a hydraulic actuator system designed to modify valve lift and duration in a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), four-valve engine. Utkarsh Sood june 17, New Atlas, 17 June 2025 The duration of the exposure remains unknown, and there is no public evidence indicating whether the data was downloaded by malicious actors before being locked down. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for duration

Word History

Etymology

see durance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of duration was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duration. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

duration

noun
du·​ra·​tion d(y)u̇-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce duration (audio)
: the time during which something exists or lasts

More from Merriam-Webster on duration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!