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
Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Impact Beyond Technology Eos Indensity systems are safe, quiet, and recyclable, designed for proximity to communities and critical sites.
—CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
What once required physical classrooms, consulting firms or geographic proximity can now be delivered digitally, often to a global audience.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Its porous mesh walls offer both comfort and a thrilling proximity to the wild.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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