proximity
noun
Did you know?
You're So Close to Learning More About Proximity
The fact that the star closest in proximity to our sun (approximately 4.2 light-years distant) is named Proxima Centauri is no coincidence. The history of proximity hinges on the idea of closeness, both physical and metaphorical. English speakers borrowed the word from Middle French, which in turn acquired it from forms of the Latin adjective proximus, meaning "nearest" or "next." Close relatives of proximity in English include proximal, proximate, and the somewhat more rare approximal (meaning "contiguous"). A number of other languages, including Catalan, Portuguese, and Italian, have similar words that come from the Latin proximus.
Synonyms
Examples of proximity in a Sentence
Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2024
Given its proximity to Rome, the villa may have belonged to a member of the Roman aristocracy.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
Grab your last-minute snacks in Castaic because there aren’t any convenience stores in proximity to the campground.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
The proximity and access to the tranquil beach are unmatched, and there is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of waves at your back door.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for proximity 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proximity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near proximity
Cite this Entry
“Proximity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proximity. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
proximity
noun
Legal Definition
proximity
noun
Share