proximity
noun
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The fact that the star closest in proximity to our sun (approximately 4.2 light-years distant) is named Proxima Centauri is no coincidence. The history of proximity hinges on the idea of closeness, both physical and metaphorical. English speakers borrowed the word from Middle French, which in turn acquired it from forms of the Latin adjective proximus, meaning "nearest" or "next." Close relatives of proximity in English include proximal, proximate, and the somewhat more rare approximal (meaning "contiguous"). A number of other languages, including Catalan, Portuguese, and Italian, have similar words that come from the Latin proximus.
Examples of proximity in a Sentence
Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
Many of Germany’s best mountains for winter sports offer more affordable passes than their Austrian and Swiss counterparts, and the Bavarian Alps’ proximity to Munich means transatlantic travelers have an easy final leg en route to their ski getaways.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025
Small business owners can come in, grow and be in proximity with other folks.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Hit the Beach Palm Bay doesn’t technically have its own beach, but with the city’s proximity to Melbourne Beach, a day of fun on sandy shores is just a quick 15-minute ride down the road.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proximity
Cite this Entry
“Proximity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proximity. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
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proximity
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