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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
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
As converging forces close in, a young translator is pulled into a tightening web of power and proximity.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead For proximity to terrific shopping and on-site wellness features, The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is the place to stay.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Yorkville has become a sort of hub for data center developments, in part due to the area’s proximity to a ComEd substation.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 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 24 Apr. 2026.
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proximity
noun
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proximity
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