duration

/djuˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /duˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /du̇-ˈrā-shən also dyu̇-/ (ame, mw)

duration — noun

1. how long an event, activity, or situation continues from its start to its end

1.名詞B1
釋義

how long an event, activity, or situation continues from its start to its end

例句

The duration of the film is just under two hours.

the duration of + noun for a fixed event

Sayaka signed a rental contract with a twelve-month duration.

同義詞
  • length

    more general and informal; can refer to physical size as well as time

  • period

    suggests a named or identifiable block of time with boundaries

  • span

    emphasises the distance between two points; common with 'attention' or 'life'

  • term

    specific to fixed, agreed-upon durations such as contracts or office-holding

反義詞
  • instant

    an extremely short moment, opposite of a measured period

文法句型

the duration of [something]

[adjective] duration

[preposition] + duration

用法筆記

Countable when a specific measured length is stated (a duration of six weeks). Uncountable when the length is described generally (work of short duration). Often paired with the preposition 'of' to specify the event being measured.

常見錯誤

❌Please tell me the duration time of the meeting.
✅Please tell me the duration of the meeting.
💡'duration' already includes the idea of time; adding 'time' is redundant.
❌The duration between the two cities is 300 kilometres.
✅The distance between the two cities is 300 kilometres.
💡'duration' refers to time, not space; use 'distance' for physical length.

2. the complete period from the start until the finishing point of a particular eve

2.名詞B2
釋義

the complete period from the start until the finishing point of a particular event, such as a conflict, crisis, or work assignment

例句

Chidi was called to serve in the army for the duration of the war.

phrase: for the duration of [event]

Salma agreed to stay at her parents' house for the duration of the storm.

同義詞
  • whole time

    more informal and conversational, used outside fixed phrases

  • entire period

    slightly more formal, emphasises completeness

文法句型

for the duration

for the duration of [event]

用法筆記

This sense almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'for the duration.' The subject is typically a situation with a defined beginning and end, such as a war, weather event, health crisis, or period of service.

常見錯誤

❌I will stay here for the duration time.
✅I will stay here for the duration.
💡'duration' already refers to the whole period; adding 'time' is unnecessary.
❌She worked there the duration.
✅She worked there for the duration.
💡The preposition 'for' is required in this phrase.