proximity
noun
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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.
Examples of proximity in a Sentence
Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
All the peace and love in proximity generated a collective energy that was shared by all.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
The bill breaks down into three tiers with the levels of development allowed in proximity to heavy trail transit, high-frequency transit and major transit stops.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
The city of Reno, located near the California-Nevada state border, is a popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to Lake Tahoe and other outdoor activities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proximity
Cite this Entry
“Proximity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proximity. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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