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 of duration

• 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

Roche developed a tool to identify the point on the government bond yield curve where the bond yield equals its modified duration. — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

There should be a buildup to the duration and intensity of these activities, only progressing as the player completes the task without concussion symptoms. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

That flexibility makes flow batteries particularly relevant to long-duration storage, where systems may need to deliver electricity for several hours rather than simply provide short bursts of backup power. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026

Light intensity, timing, duration and individual circumstances all matter. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

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
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

duration

noun

du·​ra·​tion d(y)u̇-ˈrā-shən 

: the time during which something exists or lasts