duration

noun

du·​ra·​tion du̇-ˈrā-shən 

also dyu̇-

1

: continuance in time

gradually increase the duration of your workout

2

: the time during which something exists or lasts

were there for the duration of the concert

Synonyms of duration

• time
• lifespan
• lifetime
• life
• continuance
• date

Examples of duration in a Sentence

You should gradually increase the duration of your workout.

for the whole duration of the speech the bored audience fidgeted

Recent Examples on the Web

The free trial associated with this subscription will be appended to the standard duration of access, and the promotion used for this subscription will be applied at the first renewal. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

The 2027 event is the longest eclipse of the century on land, for sure — that's a claim that can't be challenged — but more importantly, a magnitude more people than in 2009 will experience its greatest duration of totality. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Northrop Grumman withheld specific operational details regarding the flight date, duration, altitude, and airspeed. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

The records also did not establish the exact supplement, dose, duration or consistency of use. — Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see durance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing duration

• for the duration

Rhymes for duration

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

duration

noun

du·​ra·​tion d(y)u̇-ˈrā-shən 

: the time during which something exists or lasts