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proximate

adjective
prox·​i·​mate | \ ˈpräk-sÉ™-mÉ™t How to pronounce proximate (audio) \

Definition of proximate

1 : immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects) proximate, rather than ultimate, goals— Reinhold Niebuhr
2a : very near : close
b : soon forthcoming : imminent
Other Words from proximate Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about proximate

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Other Words from proximate

proximately adverb
proximateness noun

Did You Know?

You can approach a better understanding of this word, and an approximation of its history, if you recognize its two cousins in this sentence. Proximate derives from Latin proximatus, itself the past participle of the verb proximare, meaning "to approach." The noun "approximation" and both the noun and verb "approximate" derive from "proximare" (via the Late Latin verb approximare). "Proximare," in turn, comes from "proximus" ("nearest, next") and can be traced back to the adjective prope, meaning "near." "Prope" is also an ancestor of the English verb "approach," as well as "proximity," "propinquity," and "reproach."

Examples of proximate in a Sentence

the proximate cause of the fire the proximate publication of his first novel

Recent Examples on the Web

 But [these technologies] are only proximate causes. — Ezra Klein, Vox, "Is Big Tech addictive? A debate with Nir Eyal.," 7 Aug. 2019 The protests are the result of long simmering frustration While the recent scandals mark the proximate cause of the protests roiling Puerto Rico, residents of the island have faced other frustrations in recent years. — Zeeshan Aleem, Vox, "Puerto Rico’s week of massive protests, explained," 20 July 2019 The proximate cause is growing fear of conflict with Iran. — The Economist, "The UAE begins pulling out of Yemen," 4 July 2019 The student protesters were only the proximate cause of Oberlin’s problem. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "Oberlin’s $44 Million Mistake," 26 June 2019 Insofar as identity politics helped elect Donald Trump, electoral colleges seem a more proximate cause than debates over gender-neutral bathrooms. — Sarah Churchwell, The New York Review of Books, "America’s Original Identity Politics," 7 Feb. 2019 Tablets, despite being proximate to both phones and laptops, are unique. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Google keeps failing to understand tablets," 29 Nov. 2018 But the metro-accessible, downtown-DC-proximate, and relatively dense Crystal City won out. — Alex Baca, Vox, "I work in urban planning. Now Amazon’s coming to my city.," 20 Nov. 2018 Both are away from the central business district, but still proximate to mass transit and right across a river from the main part of their respective cities. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "The tragedy of Amazon’s HQ2 selections, explained," 9 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'proximate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of proximate

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for proximate

Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare to approach, from proximus nearest, next, superlative of prope near — more at approach

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More Definitions for proximate

proximate

adjective
How to pronounce proximate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of proximate

formal : coming or happening immediately before or after something in a way that shows a very close and direct relationship

See the full definition for proximate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

proximate

adjective
prox·​i·​mate | \ ˈpräk-sÉ™-mÉ™t How to pronounce proximate (audio) \

Medical Definition of proximate

1a : very near
b : next, preceding, or following especially : relating to or being a proximate cause
2 : determined by proximate analysis
3 : proximal sense 1b

Other Words from proximate

proximately adverb

proximate

adjective
prox·​i·​mate | \ ˈpräk-sÉ™-mÉ™t How to pronounce proximate (audio) \

Legal Definition of proximate

1 : next immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of causation, events, or effects) : being or leading to a particular especially foreseeable result without intervention — see also proximate cause at cause sense 1
2 : very or relatively close or near would be sufficiently proximate to the commencement of the defendant's trial — Johnson v. New Jersey, 384 U.S. 719 (1966)

Other Words from proximate

proximately adverb

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