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Meaning & use

duration

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/djʊˈreɪʃən/
US/dʊˈreɪʃən/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    How long something goes on or lasts.

    Grammar: Usually with the: the duration of the flight.

    Patterns

    • the duration of something
    • of short duration

    The duration of the meeting was only twenty minutes.

    The storm was short in duration but violent.

    Check the duration of the course before you enrol.

  2. nounfixed phrase

    The whole time that a specific situation lasts, as in a fixed phrase.

    Grammar: Found in for the duration (of): for as long as it lasts.

    Patterns

    • for the duration of something

    Please turn off your phones for the duration of the film.

    He stayed with us for the duration of the war.

    The rule applies for the duration of the contract.

  3. nouncountabletechnicalmusic

    The time value of a musical note or a sound, in music and science.

    Grammar: Used in music and acoustics.

    A whole note has a longer duration than a quarter note.

    The software measures the duration of each sound.

    The duration of the beep was one second.

Common combinations

for the duration of
Seat belts must stay fastened for the duration of the flight.
of short duration
The strike was of short duration.
of long duration
Her illness was of long duration.
average duration
The average duration of a visit is one hour.
estimated duration
The estimated duration of the repair is three days.

Synonyms and how they differ

length
Length is a more general word and also describes distance, whereas duration is only about time.
span
Span suggests the whole extent from start to end, often over a long period.
period
Period names a stretch of time, while duration emphasizes how long it lasts.
term
Term usually names a fixed length of time set by rules or contracts.

Word family

durable adjective
able to last a long time
durability noun
the ability to last
during preposition
throughout a period of time
endure verb
to last or to bear something

Commonly confused: duration or duress?

duration vs duress

Duress means pressure or threats used to force someone, not length of time.

Practice

Passengers must stay seated ___ the duration of the flight.

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