Duration (/dju-'reɪ-ʃən/) is spelled with two syllables: "du" and "ra-tion". The first syllable "du" is pronounced with the sound /dju/ which is a combination of the consonant /d/ and the vowel sound /u/. The second syllable "ra-tion" is pronounced with the sound /-'reɪ-ʃən/ which is a combination of the consonant /r/, the diphthong /eɪ/ and the consonant /ʃ/ followed by the vowel sound /ən/. Together, the sounds form the word "duration" which means the length of time that something lasts.
Duration is a noun that refers to the length of time that something continues or lasts. It measures the period during which an event, activity, or condition persists. It is commonly used to describe the temporal span of various phenomena, whether tangible or intangible, physical or abstract. Duration encompasses the complete time frame from the beginning to the end of an occurrence.
This term can be applied to a wide range of contexts, including in music, film, literature, sport, scientific experiments, and everyday situations. For example, in music, duration refers to the time taken to perform a note, a phrase, or an entire composition. Similarly, in film, duration denotes the overall length of a movie or the timing of specific scenes.
Duration can also denote the persistence or endurance of a sensation, feeling, or state of being. It is used to convey the period of time for which a particular emotional or physical experience is perceived. Additionally, duration is relevant in fields such as economics, physics, and mathematics. In economics, it describes the length of time it takes for an investment to generate a return, while in physics, it relates to the time interval of various physical processes.
Overall, duration is a versatile term that represents the time span of events, activities, conditions, or experiences in diverse domains, playing a crucial role in understanding and measuring temporal extents.
Continuance; length in time; power of continuance; permanency.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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The word "duration" comes from the Latin word "dūrātiō", which is derived from the verb "dūrāre", meaning "to last" or "to endure". The Latin roots "dūrātiō" and "dūrāre" ultimately trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*dew-", which means "strong" or "firm". This root is also related to words like "endure" and "durable", further emphasizing the notion of lasting or continuing over time.