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

Speaking of data, the system can also sync with an Apple Watch to display session summaries that include statistics like duration, shot count and calories burned. — New Atlas, 29 June 2026

Climate projections indicate that this number may rise to 69 by the 2050s, with the duration increasing to six days. — Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Beginning with the eight-and-a-half-minute title track, Orton’s craggy vocals are front and center for the record’s duration. — David Harris, SPIN, 29 June 2026

After conversations with their artists-in-residence about how human beings sense the duration of events, the team changed Coach Eve’s behavior. — Benjamin Wolff, Forbes.com, 29 June 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