temporality

noun

tem·​po·​ral·​i·​ty ˌtem-pə-ˈra-lə-tē 

plural temporalities

1

a

: civil or political as distinguished from spiritual or ecclesiastical power or authority

b

: an ecclesiastical property or revenue

—often used in plural

2

: the quality or state of being temporal

Examples of temporality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film’s plot itself is nonlinear, making frequent, abrupt jumps between past, present, and future—demonstrating an oral temporality, one rooted in a folkloric storytelling unmoored from Western linearity and Hollywood convention. —Ruby Thélot, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024

Wellspring Featuring the slaty, sky blue of Upward (Sherwin-Williams’s 2024 Color of the Year), the inherent richness of Wellspring emphasizes timelessness over temporality. —Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2024

The works presented — some of which haven’t been exhibited since the time they were made — span various mediums that explore history, temporality and biography. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2023

In their script, Turturro and Levy, a first-time playwright, tend to alternate between monologues from Sabbath and dramatic action, and the latter tends to occur in a blurred temporality with Sabbath’s memories sometimes overlapping with his present. —Vulture, 2 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English temperalte, temporalte, temporalyte (in plural or collective) "worldly matters, secular authority," borrowed from Anglo-French temporalté, temporalité, borrowed from Late Latin temporālitāt-, temporālitās "temporary character, duration of the present time," from Latin temporālis temporal entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a