temporality

noun

tem·​po·​ral·​i·​ty ˌtem-pə-ˈra-lə-tē 

plural temporalities

1

a

: civil or political as distinguished from spiritual or ecclesiastical power or authority

b

: an ecclesiastical property or revenue

—often used in plural

2

: the quality or state of being temporal

Examples of temporality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Famine refuses to choose which temporality governs, because its very structure works across multiple times at once, just as the catastrophe itself persists across event, acknowledgment, and ongoing material inscription. —Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Nina Murray’s translations, shaped by her own work as a poet and her long engagement with Ukrainian literature, bring this layered temporality into English with clarity and ethical tact. —Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

After so many roles that required him to straddle between different temporalities, DiCaprio was cast in the role of someone whose entire reality hinges upon keeping them separate. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2025

The Canyon itself remains completely untouched by any flickering temporality on its edges, as feeble as a firefly against Alpha Centauri. —Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English temperalte, temporalte, temporalyte (in plural or collective) "worldly matters, secular authority," borrowed from Anglo-French temporalté, temporalité, borrowed from Late Latin temporālitāt-, temporālitās "temporary character, duration of the present time," from Latin temporālis temporal entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for temporality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality