DURATION


Meaning of DURATION in English

d(y)əˈrāshən, -)u̇ˈ- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Medieval Latin duration-, duratio, from Latin duratus (past participle of durare to last) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at dure

1. : the quality or state of lasting for a period of time : continuation in time or existence : lastingness

a play of short duration

2. : a portion of time which is measurable or during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress

gave up all worries for the duration of the holiday

the duration of a meal

the duration of life

the duration of the world

the duration of the play

specifically : the period of time during which something that almost totally obstructs or prevents normal activities (as a war) or that engages virtually all one's efforts or attention is in progress — used with the

universities had to be persuaded to scrap their scientific and educational responsibilities for the duration and take on war work — J.B.Conant

once you were in the theater, and the lights were dimmed, you were there for the duration — Burns Mantle

3. obsolete : durableness or endurance in use

• du·ra·tion·al -shən ə l, -shnəl adjective

• du·ra·tion·al·ly -ē adverb

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.