duration

American  

[doo-rey-shuhn, dyoo-] / dʊˈreɪ ʃən, dyʊ- /

noun

1. the length of time something continues or exists (often used withthe ).

2. continuance in time.

3. (in the philosophy of Bergson) a temporal continuum, intuitively known, within which the élan vital operates.

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duration British  

/ djʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the length of time that something lasts or continues

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Other Word Forms

• durational adjective

Etymology

Origin of duration

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin dūrātiōn-, stem of dūrātiō, from Latin dūrāt(us) “lasted” (past participle of dūrāre “to last”; dure ² ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

While the war’s duration is unknown, Lee looks at seven major conflicts dating back to 1900 and finds equity markets have a habit of troughing early on because investors “price adverse risks early and quickly.”

From MarketWatch

For policymakers and economists, the context is what determines the inflationary impact of an energy shock as much as the scale and duration of the shock itself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Migration histories, duration of residence, fertility patterns and detailed employment classifications became standard.

From BBC

Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran had "had no negotiations with America in these thirty-one days," referring to the duration of the war.

From BBC

He said that while the attack on Iran had been anticipated, its timing and the duration of the war that has ensued were surprising.

From Barron's

Related Words

• continuation
• extent
• period
• span