distance

[ dis-tuhns ]

/ ˈdɪs təns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR distance 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.

Nearby words

distaff side, distaffer, distain, distal, distal myopathy, distance, distance learning, distance medley, distance modulus, distance race, distance runner

Idioms

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

SYNONYMS FOR distance

10 remoteness, restraint, coolness, aloofness.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR distance ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

dis·tance·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for go the 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

Medicine definitions for go the distance

distance

[ dĭs′təns ]

n.

The extent of space between two objects or places; an intervening space.

Idioms and Phrases with go the distance (1 of 2)

go the distance

Carry through a course of action to completion. For example, He said he's willing to go the distance with this project. This expression originated in boxing, where it means “to last for all the rounds that have been scheduled.” In baseball the same term means “to pitch an entire game.” For a synonym, see all the way, def. 1.

Idioms and Phrases with go the distance (2 of 2)

distance

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