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
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
The community is home to beaches and nature trails, such as the Fontainebleau Nature Trail, which has more than 400 positive reviews on AllTrails for its unique terrain and proximity to the bayou.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025
Despite its proximity to New York’s Financial District, Brandy Library isn’t solely focused on the corporate side.
—Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
But that proximity can also bring a bit of a taboo about digital fans, where their fervor and intensity can put off actors or creatives.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 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 10 May. 2025.
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