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
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Her proximity to political commentator and conspiracy peddler Candace Owens, and her reluctance to distance herself from Owens’ escalating claims, has become a defining — and increasingly uncomfortable — feature of her brand.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
The plant's proximity to the land where Prologis intends to build its data centers was a factor for why the company targeted the parcel, according to a Prologis executive.
—Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Public awareness is essential, but the conversation cannot stop at cataloging proximity.
—Tim Rathmann, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proximity
Cite this Entry
“Proximity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proximity. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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proximity
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proximity
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