space

American  

[speys] / speɪs /

noun

1. the unlimited or incalculably great three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur.

2. the portion or extent of this in a given instance; extent or room in three dimensions.

   the space occupied by a body.

3. extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface.

   to fill out blank spaces in a document.

4. Fine Arts.

   1. the designed and structured surface of a picture.

      In Mondrian's later work he organized space in highly complex rhythms.

   2. the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.

5. outer space.

6. deep space.

7. a seat, berth, or room on a train, airplane, etc.

8. a place available for a particular purpose.

   a parking space.

9. linear distance; a particular distance.

   trees separated by equal spaces.

10. Mathematics. a system of objects with relations between the objects defined.

11. extent, or a particular extent, of time.

    a space of two hours.

12. an interval of time; a while.

    After a space he continued his story.

13. an area or interval allowed for or taken by advertising, as in a periodical, on the radio, etc.

14. Music. the interval between two adjacent lines of the staff.

15. an interval or blank area in text.

    a space between the letters.

16. Printing. one of the blank pieces of metal, less than type-high, used to separate words, sentences, etc.

17. Telegraphy. an interval during the transmitting of a message when the key is not in contact.

18. radio or television broadcast time allowed or available for a program, advertisement, etc.

19. freedom or opportunity to express oneself, resolve a personal difficulty, be alone, etc.; allowance, understanding, or noninterference.

    Right now, you can help by giving me some space.

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verb (used with object)

spaced, spacing

1. to fix the space or spaces of; divide into spaces.

2. to set some distance apart.

3. Printing, Writing.

   1. to separate (words, letters, or lines) by spaces.

   2. to extend by inserting more space or spaces (usually followed byout ).

verb (used with or without object)

spaced, spacing

1. Informal. to forget: I spaced on your present, I’m so sorry.

   I had an appointment but I totally spaced.

   I spaced on your present, I’m so sorry.

   I spaced the deadline and now my homework's late.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with outer space or deep space.

   a space mission.

2. designed for or suitable to use in the exploration of outer space or deep space: specially packaged space food for astronauts.

   space tools;

   specially packaged space food for astronauts.

verb phrase

1. space out to become dazed or inattentive.

   Sorry, I spaced out and didn't catch that.

space British  

/ speɪs /

noun

1. the unlimited three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are located

2. an interval of distance or time between two points, objects, or events

3. a blank portion or area

4. 1. unoccupied area or room

      there is no space for a table

   2. ( in combination )

      space-saving

5. freedom to do what a person wishes to for his or her own personal development

6. 1. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc; universe

   2. ( as modifier )

      a space probe

      space navigation

7. 1. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere occurring between the celestial bodies of the universe. The density is normally negligible although cosmic rays, meteorites, gas clouds, etc, can occur. It can be divided into cislunar space (between the earth and moon), interplanetary space , interstellar space , and intergalactic space

   2. ( as modifier )

      a space station

      a space simulator

8. a seat or place, as on a train, aircraft, etc

9. printing

   1. a piece of metal, less than type-high, used to separate letters or words in hot-metal printing

   2. any of the gaps used to separate letters, words, or lines in photocomposition, desktop publishing, etc

10. music any of the gaps between the lines that make up the staff

11. maths a collection of unspecified points having properties that obey a specified set of axioms

    Euclidean space

12. Also called: spacing.  telegraphy the period of time that separates complete letters, digits, and other characters in Morse code

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verb

1. to place or arrange at intervals or with spaces between

2. to divide into or by spaces

   to space one's time evenly

3. printing to separate (letters, words, or lines) by the insertion of spaces

space Scientific  

/ spās /

1. The region of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.

2. ◆ The part of this region within the solar system is known as interplanetary space.

3. ◆ The part of this region beyond the solar system but within the Milky Way or within another galaxy is known as interstellar space.

4. ◆ The part of this region between the Milky Way and other galaxies is known as intergalactic space.

5. The familiar three-dimensional region or field of everyday experience.

6. Mathematics A mathematical object, typically a set of sets, that is usually structured to define a range across which variables or other objects (such as a coordinate system) can be defined.

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space Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing space

• breathing space
• take up space

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Other Word Forms

• misspace verb (used with object)
• respace verb (used with object)
• spacer noun

Etymology

Origin of space

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French espace, from Latin spatium

Explanation

Before hiring a moving company to bring a grand piano into your studio apartment, you should measure how much space you actually have available. Space, along with time, is one of the basic concepts of reality, but there are plenty of non-philosophical ways to use it. Don't let your dog sleep in the bed — she'll take up too much space. There's a space between each of these words. If you're into rockets, you probably want to travel in space, beyond the earth's atmosphere. A space in your day is free time. (Weird, right?) The root word spatium means "area covered" in Latin.

Example Sentences

Yet Monday’s flyby — the first time humans had reached the moon since 1972 — held an emotional significance for the crew and space enthusiasts beyond the mission’s technical objectives.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

And what's it like to return to Earth after being in space?

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

While in space, the crew spoke of the surreal sights of our dusty, rugged natural satellite, appearing about the size of a bowling ball at arm’s length, suspended in the nothingness.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Spending time in space will have been physically gruelling for the Artemis II crew.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

On the other end of the space, there was a small table, and a copy of The Light Returns on a stand.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Related Words

• area
• arena
• capacity
• distance
• field
• location
• slot
• spot
• territory
• zone