arm's-length

American  

[ahrmz-lengkth, -length] / ˈɑrmzˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ /

adjective

1. not closely or intimately connected or associated; distant; remote.

   an arm's-length relationship.

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arm's-length British  

adjective

1. lacking intimacy or friendliness, esp when possessing some special connection, such as previous closeness

   we now have an arm's-length relationship

2. (of commercial transactions) in accordance with market values, disregarding any connection such as common ownership of the companies involved

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Etymology

Origin of arm's-length

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arm's-length

And once the Arco Petroleum split-off becomes more of “an arm’s-length transaction,” Arco Petroleum’s stock “can easily go from $20 to $30,” Gabelli said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

“What we have to think about with a lot of these affiliations in place is trying to make sure that these arm’s-length assessments are still happening,” Mears said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

Disclosure rules similarly make anonymous trading and arm’s-length shareholding safe.

From Barron's ● Jan. 2, 2026

The merger appeared to be as far from an arm’s-length transaction as human arms could allow.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2024

He gazed at it again, still holding it at arm’s-length as if it had been a looking-glass. 

From Lady Barbarina The Siege of London, An International Episode and Other Tales by James, Henry