distance

[dis-tuhns]

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.

    Synonyms: aloofness, coolness, restraint, remoteness

11. Music.,  interval.

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.

verb (used with object)

distanced, distancing 

1. to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.

2. to place at a distance.

3. to cause to appear distant.

distance

/ ˈdɪstəns /

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 time

   he 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 most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape

10. horse racing

    1. a point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post

    2. any interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race

    3. the 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. 1. boxing to complete a bout without being knocked out

    2. to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility

12. to maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person

13. the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape

14. 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 mile

    a distance runner

verb

1. to hold or place at a distance

2. to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something

3. to outdo; outstrip

Other Word Forms

• distanceless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of distance¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin distantia, from distant- (stem of distāns “standing apart”; distant ) + -ia -y ³; replacing Middle English destaunce, from Anglo-French

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Example Sentences

Through the windows, huge grey clouds rose in the middle distance.

From BBC

The ocean sparkled in the distance, little crystals dancing on its surface.

From Los Angeles Times

As he spoke, an explosion boomed in the distance, then another.

From Los Angeles Times

This spring was the warmest and sunniest on record across the UK and was followed by the warmest summer on record with a mean temperature of 16.1C, quite some distance above the long-term average.

From BBC

Elegant terns cried and circled in the distance, and pelicans flew from the ocean to the lagoon, so close overhead sometimes I could hear the flapping of their heavy wings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• area 
• gap 
• length 
• orbit 
• radius 
• scope 
• separation 
• size 
• space 
• span 
• stretch 
• width