duration

UK: djʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n | US: dʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n

Definition

  1. n. the length of time that something lasts or continues

  2. n. (music) the length of a note or rest in relation to others

Structure
dur <last>ation <noun suffix>
Etymology

duration = dur<last> + ation<noun suffix>

  • dur (from Latin durus, meaning "hard" or "lasting") → evolved to signify endurance or continuity.
  • ation (Latin-derived suffix forming nouns indicating an action or state).

Etymology Origin:
The word "duration" traces back to Latin duratio ("a hardening" or "lasting"), from durare ("to harden" or "endure"). Over time, the sense shifted from physical hardness to temporal endurance, reflecting how Latin roots were adapted into English to abstract concepts like time.

Examples

  1. The duration of the movie was two hours.

  2. Scientists measured the duration of the eclipse.

  3. The contract specifies the duration of employment.

  4. Short attention spans reduce the duration of focus.

  5. The duration of each note affects the melody’s rhythm.