long distance

¹ American  

noun

1. telephone service between distant places.

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long-distance ² American  

[lawng-dis-tuhns, long-] / ˈlɔŋˈdɪs təns, ˈlɒŋ- /

adjective

1. of, from, or between distant places.

   a long-distance phone call.

2. for, over, or covering long distances.

   a long-distance runner.

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adverb

1. by long-distance telephone.

   to call someone long-distance.

long-distance British  

noun

1. (modifier) covering relatively long distances

   a long-distance driver

2. (modifier) (of telephone calls, lines, etc) connecting points a relatively long way apart

3. a long-distance telephone call

4. a long-distance telephone system or its operator

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adverb

1. by a long-distance telephone line

   he phoned long-distance

Etymology

Origin of long distance¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Origin of long-distance²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

These two long distance neutrino projects are among the most sophisticated of their kind.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

He is also shooting a career-low 30.9% from three after shooting 42.3% from long distance last season.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2026

The Airo train sets are scheduled to begin service in 2026 and the long distance fleet in the early 2030s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

Then someone called out to him from a great, long distance.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova