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

• 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

Short sleep duration, typically fewer than six or seven hours per night, defined the fourth group, LC4. —Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

These circuitous routes greatly lengthen mission durations and limit launches to tight windows. —Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025

Each moment of combat imposes a strain so great that men will break down in direct relation to the intensity and duration of their exposure. —Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

The more advanced Starship prototype will be outfitted with upgrades essential for long-duration missions deep into space, according to SpaceX. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 Oct. 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