range

American  

[reynj] / reɪndʒ /

noun

1. the extent to which or the limits between which variation is possible.

   the range of steel prices; a wide range of styles.

   Synonyms:

   reach, sweep

2. the extent or scope of the operation or action of something.

   within range of vision.

3. the distance to which a projectile is or may be sent by a weapon.

4. the distance of the target from the weapon.

5. an area equipped with targets for practice in shooting weapons.

   a rifle range.

6. an area used for flight-testing missiles.

7. the distance of something to be located from some point of operation, as in sound ranging.

8. the distance that can be covered by an aircraft, ship, or other vehicle, carrying a normal load without refueling.

9. Statistics. the difference between the largest and smallest values in a statistical distribution.

10. a continuous course of masonry of the same height from end to end.

11. Music. compass.

12. Surveying.

    1. the horizontal direction or extension of a survey line established by two or more marked points.

    2. (in U.S. public-land surveys) one of a series of divisions numbered east or west from the principal meridian of the survey and consisting of a row of townships, each six miles square, that are numbered north or south from a base line.

13. Navigation. a line established by markers or lights on shore for the location of soundings.

14. a rank, class, or order.

    in the higher ranges of society.

    Synonyms:

    sort, kind

15. a row, line, or series, as of persons or things.

    Synonyms:

    file, tier

16. an act of ranging or moving around, as over an area or region.

17. Also called rangeland.  an area or tract that is or may be ranged over, especially an open region for the grazing of livestock.

18. the region over which a population or species is distributed.

    the range of the Baltimore oriole.

19. Mathematics. the set of all values attained by a given function throughout its domain.

20. a chain of mountains forming a single system.

    the Catskill Range.

21. a large portable or stationary cooking stove having burners built into the top surface and containing one or more ovens.

22. Physics. the maximum distance that a charged particle, as a proton, can penetrate a given medium and still maintain sufficient kinetic energy to produce ionization in the medium.

23. Nautical.

    1. a large cleat for securing various lines, especially the tacks and sheets of courses.

    2. a length of anchor cable laid on deck.

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adjective

1. working or grazing on a range.

   range horses; range animals like steer and sheep.

verb (used with object)

ranged, ranging

1. to draw up or arrange (persons or things) in rows or lines or in a specific position, company, or group.

   The sergeant ranged the troops in columns of six across.

   Synonyms:

   rank, align

2. to place or arrange systematically; set in order; dispose.

   The members of the cast were ranged in their proper places on stage.

   Synonyms:

   array

3. to place in a particular class; classify.

   They ranged themselves with the liberals.

4. to make straight, level, or even, as lines of type.

5. to pass over or through (an area or region) in all directions, as in exploring or searching.

   They ranged the entire countryside.

6. to pasture (cattle) on a range.

7. to direct or train, as a telescope, upon an object.

8. to obtain the range of (something aimed at or to be located).

9. Nautical. to lay out (an anchor cable) so that the anchor may descend smoothly.

verb (used without object)

ranged, ranging

1. to vary within certain limits.

   prices ranging from $5 to $10.

2. to have a certain variety of things somehow related.

   emotions ranging from smugness to despair.

3. to move around or through a region in all directions, as people or animals.

4. to rove, roam, or wander.

   The talk ranged over a variety of subjects.

5. to stretch out or extend in a line, as things.

   shabby houses ranged along the road.

   Synonyms:

   lie

6. to extend, run, or go in a certain direction.

   a boundary ranging from east and west.

7. to lie or extend in the same line or plane, as one thing with another or others.

8. to take up a position in a line or in order.

9. to extend, be found, or occur over an area or throughout a period, as an animal or plant.

10. to have a specified range, as a gun, missile, etc.

11. to find the range, as of something aimed at or to be located.

12. Nautical. (of an anchored vessel) to swerve or sheer (often followed byabout ).

idioms

1. in range, (of two or more objects observed from a vessel) located one directly behind the other.

range British  

/ reɪndʒ /

noun

1. the limits within which a person or thing can function effectively

   the range of vision

2. the limits within which any fluctuation takes place

   a range of values

3. the total products of a manufacturer, designer, or stockist

   the new autumn range

4. 1. the maximum effective distance of a projectile fired from a weapon

   2. the distance between a target and a weapon

5. an area set aside for shooting practice or rocket testing

6. the total distance which a ship, aircraft, or land vehicle is capable of covering without taking on fresh fuel

   the range of this car is about 160 miles

7. physics the distance that a particle of ionizing radiation, such as an electron or proton, can travel through a given medium, esp air, before ceasing to cause ionization

8. maths logic

   1. (of a function) the set of values that the function takes for all possible arguments Compare domain

   2. (of a variable) the set of values that a variable can take

   3. (of a quantifier) the set of values that the variable bound by the quantifier can take

9. statistics a measure of dispersion obtained by subtracting the smallest from the largest sample values

10. the extent of pitch difference between the highest and lowest notes of a voice, instrument, etc

11. 1. an extensive tract of open land on which livestock can graze

    2. ( as modifier )

       range cattle

12. the geographical region in which a species of plant or animal normally grows or lives

13. a rank, row, or series of items

14. a series or chain of mountains

15. a large stove with burners and one or more ovens, usually heated by solid fuel

16. the act or process of ranging

17. nautical a line of sight taken from the sea along two or more navigational aids that mark a navigable channel

18. the extension or direction of a survey line, established by marking two or more points

19. a double-faced bookcase, as in a library

20. philosophy logic the set of subjects for which a given predicate is intelligible

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verb

1. to establish or be situated in a line, row, or series

2. to put into a specific category; classify

   she ranges herself with the angels

3. (foll by on) to aim or point (a telescope, gun, etc) or (of a gun, telescope, etc) to be pointed or aimed

4. to establish the distance of (a target) from (a weapon)

5. (intr) (of a gun or missile) to have a specified range

6. to wander about (in) an area; roam (over)

7. (of an animal or plant) to live or grow in its normal habitat

8. (tr) to put (cattle) to graze on a range

9. (intr) to fluctuate within specific limits

   their ages range from 18 to 21

10. (intr) to extend or run in a specific direction

11. (tr) nautical to coil (an anchor rope or chain) so that it will pay out smoothly

12. (intr) nautical (of a vessel) to swing back and forth while at anchor

13. (tr) to make (lines of printers' type) level or even at the margin

range Scientific  

/ rānj /

1. The set of all values that a given function may have.

2. Compare domain

3. The difference between the smallest and largest values in a set of data. If the lowest test score of a group of students is 54 and the highest is 94, the range is 40.

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range More Idioms  

1. see at close range.

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Related Words

Range, compass, latitude, scope refer to extent or breadth. Range emphasizes extent and diversity: the range of one's interests. Compass suggests definite limits: within the compass of one's mind. Latitude emphasizes the idea of freedom from narrow confines, thus breadth or extent: granted latitude of action. Scope suggests great freedom but a proper limit: the scope of one's activities; the scope of one's obligations. See roam.

Other Word Forms

• nonranging
  adjective
• subrange
  noun
• unranging
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of range

First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun) Middle English, from Old French renge “row,” derivative of renc “line”; see rank ¹; (verb) Middle English rangen, from Middle French ranger, Old French rengier, derivative of renc

Explanation

The word range refers to a variety of things or to an area in which something operates. The store offers the living room set in a range of colors. What's the range of that remote-controlled airplane? As a noun, range can also be used to describe a set of mountains such as the Sierra Nevada or it can mean a grassy plain where cattle graze. As a verb, use range to mean a span or variety of things. Your family conversation at the dinner table probably ranges over a variety of topics. At school, you learn about many subjects ranging from English literature to calculus to European history.

Example Sentences

The prosecutor said: "There were the trips to Malaga, the Grand National, fast cars including Audi RS5s, Range Rovers and Mercedes."

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

When CEO Mike Creedon visited that new store, he noticed Range Rovers in the parking lot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Meanwhile the Caliente Range — those mountains just to the west — are lurching the opposite way.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Range Resources, another exploration and production player that focuses primarily on natural gas, has risen an impressive 23% year to date.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Something pops into Jus’s head: Manny pushing open the passenger door of the Range Rover and telling him to get in.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

Related Words

• area
• dimension
• field
• length
• matter
• scope
• space
• spectrum
• territory