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distance

[dis-tuh ns]
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noun
  1. the extent or amount of space between two things, points, lines, etc.
  2. the state or fact of being apart in space, as of one thing from another; remoteness.
  3. a linear extent of space: Seven miles is a distance too great to walk in an hour.
  4. an expanse; area: A vast distance of water surrounded the ship.
  5. the interval between two points of time; an extent of time: His vacation period was a good distance away.
  6. remoteness or difference in any respect: Our philosophies are a long distance apart.
  7. an amount of progress: We've come a long distance on the project.
  8. a distant point, place, or region.
  9. the distant part of a field of view: a tree in the distance.
  10. absence of warmth; reserve: Their first meeting in several years was hampered by a certain distance between them.
  11. Music. interval(def 6).
  12. aesthetic distance.
  13. Horse Racing. (in a heat race) the space measured back from the winning post that a horse must reach by the time the winner passes the winning post or be eliminated from subsequent heats.
  14. Mathematics. the greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.
  15. Obsolete. disagreement or dissension; a quarrel.
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verb (used with object), dis·tanced, dis·tanc·ing.
  1. to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.
  2. to place at a distance.
  3. to cause to appear distant.
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Idioms
  1. go the distance,
    1. (in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
    2. Informal.to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
  2. keep at a distance, to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.
  3. keep one's distance, to avoid becoming familiar or involved; remain cool or aloof.
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Origin of distance

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin distantia, equivalent to distant- (see distant) + -ia -y3; replacing Middle English destaunce < Anglo-French
Related formsdis·tance·less, adjective

Synonyms

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10. remoteness, restraint, coolness, aloofness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for distance

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • These gradually died away in the distance, and were heard no more.

    Philothea

    Lydia Maria Child

  • In the distance they could see the others following ghostly lamps.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • He had seen her only at a distance since their talk at Newport.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • Reached the pool found by me on the 24th; distance seventeen miles.

  • The Surveyor-General and a party accompanied us for some distance along the road.

British Dictionary definitions for distance

distance

noun
  1. the intervening space between two points or things
  2. the length of this gap
  3. the state of being apart in space; remoteness
  4. an interval between two points in time
  5. the extent of progress; advance
  6. a distant place or timehe lives at a distance from his work
  7. a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity
  8. geometry
    1. the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
    2. the length along a straight line or curve
  9. the distance the most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
  10. horse racing
    1. Britisha point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post
    2. Britishany interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race
    3. USthe part of a racecourse that a horse must reach in any heat before the winner passes the finishing line in order to qualify for later heats
  11. go the distance
    1. boxingto complete a bout without being knocked out
    2. to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility
  12. keep one's distance to maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person
  13. the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape
  14. middle distance
    1. (in a picture) halfway between the foreground and the horizon
    2. (in a natural situation) halfway between the observer and the horizon
  15. (modifier) athletics relating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a milea distance runner
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verb (tr)
  1. to hold or place at a distance
  2. to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something
  3. to outdo; outstrip
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for distance

n.

late 13c., "quarrel, estrangement, discord, strife," from Old French destance (13c.), from Latin distantia "a standing apart," from distantem (nominative distans) "standing apart, separate, distant," present participle of distare "stand apart," from dis- "apart, off" (see dis-) + stare "to stand" (see stet).

Meaning "remoteness, space between things or places" is late 14c. The figurative sense of "aloofness" is the same as in stand-offish. Phrase go the distance (1930s) seems to be originally from the prize ring, where the word meant "scheduled length of a bout."

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v.

1570s (transitive); 1640s (intransitive), from distance (n.). Related: Distanced; distancing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
distance in Medicine

distance

(dĭs′təns)
n.
  1. The extent of space between two objects or places; an intervening space.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with distance

distance

see go the distance; keep one's distance; spitting distance.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.