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• middle distance
  middle distance

  noun

  the represented space between the foreground and background in paintings, drawings, etc.
• middle-distance
  middle-distance

  adjective

  athletics relating to or denoting races of a length between the sprints and the distance events, esp the 800 metres and the 1500 metres

middle distance

American  

noun

1. Also called middle plane.  Also called middle ground.  Fine Arts. the represented space between the foreground and background in paintings, drawings, etc.

2. (in track) a race distance ranging from 400 meters or 440 yards to 1 mile.

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middle-distance British  

adjective

1. athletics relating to or denoting races of a length between the sprints and the distance events, esp the 800 metres and the 1500 metres

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noun

1. Also called: middle ground.  part of a painting, esp a landscape between the foreground and far distance

Etymology

Origin of middle distance

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

To the left and right, a dense forest frames the scene, while farther off, in the middle distance, a few lonely plantations and houses can barely be made out.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

As a teen, Fraire spent three years on the Burbank High School track team as a middle distance runner and four years on the school’s cross-country team, frequently ranking in top spots during meets.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Now, aged 24, she is one of India's top middle distance para athletes.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2025

After hearing the bad news, Mr. Hill walks in a daze on the ship’s deck, eyes lost in the middle distance, the official regalia of his captain’s outfit rendered absurd.

From New York Times • May 5, 2024

Jacob has been spooning the stew slowly into his mouth and staring into the middle distance.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz