distance

[ dis-tuhns ]

/ ˈdɪs təns /

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See synonyms for: distance / distanced / distancing on Thesaurus.com

noun

the extent or amount of space between two things, points, lines, etc.

the state or fact of being apart in space, as of one thing from another; remoteness.

a linear extent of space: Seven miles is a distance too great to walk in an hour.

an expanse; area: A vast distance of water surrounded the ship.

the interval between two points of time; an extent of time: His vacation period was a good distance away.

remoteness or difference in any respect: Our philosophies are a long distance apart.

an amount of progress: We've come a long distance on the project.

a distant point, place, or region.

the distant part of a field of view: a tree in the distance.

absence of warmth; reserve: Their first meeting in several years was hampered by a certain distance between them.

Music. interval (def. 6).

aesthetic distance.

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.

Mathematics. the greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.

Obsolete. disagreement or dissension; a quarrel.

verb (used with object), dis·tanced, dis·tanc·ing.

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

to place at a distance.

to cause to appear distant.

OTHER WORDS FOR distance

10 remoteness, restraint, coolness, aloofness.

See synonyms for distance on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about distance

go the distance,

(in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
Informal. to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.

keep at a distance, to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.

keep one's distance, to avoid becoming familiar or involved; remain cool or aloof.

Origin of distance

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

OTHER WORDS FROM distance

dis·tance·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use distance in a sentence

That would allow us to limit the number of people who could come in and therefore social distance.
Plight at the Museum|Jen Trolio|November 20, 2020|Vox
That tactor has a tiny motor that allows it to move short distances within a small area.
This artificial skin feels ‘ghosts’ — things you wish were there|Stephen Ornes|November 20, 2020|Science News For Students
Wilke and Sauber-Schatz recommend that if families do have college students coming home, they make plans for the youngsters to maintain social distance and wear masks whenever possible.
The CDC says not to travel on Thanksgiving|Claire Maldarelli|November 19, 2020|Popular-Science
If you run long distances, you develop a stronger heart and mitochondria-rich muscles that make you better at running long distances.
Rethinking the Cross-Training Paradox|Alex Hutchinson|November 19, 2020|Outside Online

And, as mentioned before, think about weight if you’ll be carrying it for long distances.
How to Choose the Right Water Bottle for You|Joe Jackson|November 17, 2020|Outside Online
He entered in an awkward alliance with Lapid to join the government but quickly distanced himself from it.
Goodbye to Israel’s Lousy Government (Let’s Hope the Next One Isn’t Worse)|Alon Ben-Meir|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zhenya, a hair salon owner, who had been a vocal supporter of the protests, now distanced himself from the activists.
Why Did Ukraine’s Eurolution Fail?|Vijai Maheshwari|January 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gulen is a former ally of the government who has now distanced himself from the prime minister.
Turkey’s Struggle for Checks and Balances|Husain Haqqani|January 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During interviews with security officials, she denied all knowledge of the plot, and publicly distanced herself from the bombings.
Samantha Lewthwaite: ‘White Widow’ Involved in Kenya Attack?|Nico Hines|September 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Cooper has distanced herself from the widely panned 2007 movie adaptation, The Seeker.
She Who Came After Tolkien, Before Rowling|John Garth|August 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They were soon out-distanced, the palm-trees fell away, the soaring temple loomed against the blazing sky.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
His speech on the introduction of his first budget was waited for with great expectation, but it distanced all expectation.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8|Various
A score of figures were dancing there, and shouting derisively at the out-distanced American tug.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock
The crowd gives a concerted cheer as the train pulls out and a few intrepid ones run alongside until distanced by steam and steel.
My Wonderful Visit|Charlie Chaplin
But almost at once it became plain that we were out-distanced.
The Adventures of Harry Revel|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

British Dictionary definitions for distance

distance

/ (ˈdɪstəns) /

noun

the intervening space between two points or things

the length of this gap

the state of being apart in space; remoteness

an interval between two points in time

the extent of progress; advance

a distant place or timehe lives at a distance from his work

a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity

geometry

the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
the length along a straight line or curve

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

horse racing

British a point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post
British any interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race
US 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

go the distance

boxing to complete a bout without being knocked out
to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility

keep one's distance to maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person

the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape

middle distance

(in a picture) halfway between the foreground and the horizon
(in a natural situation) halfway between the observer and the horizon

(modifier) athletics relating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a milea distance runner

verb (tr)

to hold or place at a distance

to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something

to outdo; outstrip

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with distance

distance

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

distance

OTHER WORDS FOR distance

Idioms about distance

Origin of distance

OTHER WORDS FROM distance

Words related to distance

How to use distance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for distance

Other Idioms and Phrases with distance