What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
duration
Example
The duration of the movie was two hours. [duration: noun]
Example
We need to limit the duration of the meeting to one hour. [duration: noun]
term
Example
The term of the contract is three years. [term: noun]
Example
The term 'global warming' refers to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature. [term: noun]
Example
I'm taking a course this term on environmental science. [term: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Duration is more commonly used in everyday language than term. Duration is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while term is more specific and often used in academic or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between duration and term?
Term is generally considered more formal than duration. It is often used in academic or legal contexts, while duration can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
