space

American  

[spays] / speɪs /

noun

• spaces
  plural

1. the unlimited or incalculably great three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur.

2. the portion or extent of this in a given instance; extent or room in three dimensions.

   the space occupied by a body.

3. extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface.

   to fill out blank spaces in a document.

4. Fine Arts.

   1. the designed and structured surface of a picture.

      In Mondrian's later work he organized space in highly complex rhythms.

   2. the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.

5. outer space.

6. deep space.

7. a seat, berth, or room on a train, airplane, etc.

8. a place available for a particular purpose.

   a parking space.

9. linear distance; a particular distance.

   trees separated by equal spaces.

10. Mathematics. a system of objects with relations between the objects defined.

11. extent, or a particular extent, of time.

    a space of two hours.

12. an interval of time; a while.

    After a space he continued his story.

13. an area or interval allowed for or taken by advertising, as in a periodical, on the radio, etc.

14. Music. the interval between two adjacent lines of the staff.

15. an interval or blank area in text.

    a space between the letters.

16. Printing. one of the blank pieces of metal, less than type-high, used to separate words, sentences, etc.

17. Telegraphy. an interval during the transmitting of a message when the key is not in contact.

18. radio or television broadcast time allowed or available for a program, advertisement, etc.

19. freedom or opportunity to express oneself, resolve a personal difficulty, be alone, etc.; allowance, understanding, or noninterference.

    Right now, you can help by giving me some space.

---

verb (used with object)

• spaces,
  present (3rd person singular)
• spaced,
  past participle,  past
• spacing
  present participle

1. to fix the space or spaces of; divide into spaces.

2. to set some distance apart.

3. Printing, Writing.

   1. to separate (words, letters, or lines) by spaces.

   2. to extend by inserting more space or spaces (usually followed byout ).

verb (used with or without object)

• spaces,
  present (3rd person singular)
• spaced,
  past participle,  past
• spacing
  present participle

1. Informal. to forget: I spaced on your present, I’m so sorry.

   I had an appointment but I totally spaced.

   I spaced on your present, I’m so sorry.

   I spaced the deadline and now my homework's late.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with outer space or deep space.

   a space mission.

2. designed for or suitable to use in the exploration of outer space or deep space: specially packaged space food for astronauts.

   space tools;

   specially packaged space food for astronauts.

verb phrase

1. space out to become dazed or inattentive.

   Sorry, I spaced out and didn't catch that.

space British  

/ speɪs /

noun

1. the unlimited three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are located

2. an interval of distance or time between two points, objects, or events

3. a blank portion or area

4. 1. unoccupied area or room

      there is no space for a table

   2. ( in combination )

      space-saving

5. freedom to do what a person wishes to for his or her own personal development

6. 1. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc; universe

   2. ( as modifier )

      a space probe

      space navigation

7. 1. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere occurring between the celestial bodies of the universe. The density is normally negligible although cosmic rays, meteorites, gas clouds, etc, can occur. It can be divided into cislunar space (between the earth and moon), interplanetary space , interstellar space , and intergalactic space

   2. ( as modifier )

      a space station

      a space simulator

8. a seat or place, as on a train, aircraft, etc

9. printing

   1. a piece of metal, less than type-high, used to separate letters or words in hot-metal printing

   2. any of the gaps used to separate letters, words, or lines in photocomposition, desktop publishing, etc

10. music any of the gaps between the lines that make up the staff

11. maths a collection of unspecified points having properties that obey a specified set of axioms

    Euclidean space

12. Also called: spacing. telegraphy the period of time that separates complete letters, digits, and other characters in Morse code

---

verb

1. to place or arrange at intervals or with spaces between

2. to divide into or by spaces

   to space one's time evenly

3. printing to separate (letters, words, or lines) by the insertion of spaces

space Scientific  

/ spās /

1. The region of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.

2. ◆ The part of this region within the solar system is known as interplanetary space.

3. ◆ The part of this region beyond the solar system but within the Milky Way or within another galaxy is known as interstellar space.

4. ◆ The part of this region between the Milky Way and other galaxies is known as intergalactic space.

5. The familiar three-dimensional region or field of everyday experience.

6. Mathematics A mathematical object, typically a set of sets, that is usually structured to define a range across which variables or other objects (such as a coordinate system) can be defined.

---

space Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing space

• breathing space
• take up space

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spacer
  noun
• misspace
  verb (used with object)
• respace
  verb (used with object)

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• spaces
  plural

Participles

• spacing
  present
• spaced
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• space
  simple
• spaces
  simple
• have spaced
  perfect
• has spaced
  perfect
• am spacing
  progressive
• are spacing
  progressive
• is spacing
  progressive
• have been spacing
  perfect progressive
• has been spacing
  perfect progressive

Past

• spaced
  simple
• had spaced
  perfect
• was spacing
  progressive
• were spacing
  progressive
• had been spacing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will space
  simple
• will have spaced
  perfect
• will be spacing
  progressive
• will have been spacing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of space

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French espace, from Latin spatium

Explanation

Before hiring a moving company to bring a grand piano into your studio apartment, you should measure how much space you actually have available. Space, along with time, is one of the basic concepts of reality, but there are plenty of non-philosophical ways to use it. Don't let your dog sleep in the bed — she'll take up too much space. There's a space between each of these words. If you're into rockets, you probably want to travel in space, beyond the earth's atmosphere. A space in your day is free time. (Weird, right?) The root word spatium means "area covered" in Latin.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

space spaces spaced spacing

These missions will deliver scientific instruments and new technologies intended to expand American leadership in space science, support a sustained lunar presence, and prepare for more ambitious human exploration.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

At the time, Obama said Hamilton "symbolises that generation of unsung women who helped send humankind into space".

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

At this World Cup, they did everything to put the ball in his vicinity, while he stalked around, shunting his way into space.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

It’s rare for trans women to feel a sense of ease in public space.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

He was in a space big enough to sit up.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

If large underground spaces are confirmed, they could offer an important advantage for future human exploration.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

“Stay in air conditioned spaces during the afternoon and evening hours.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

“People don’t exercise their right to be themselves in public spaces because they’re afraid of what these new devices can do.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Even more lounge spaces exist in the lower level of the home, including a den that’s ready to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

“Yes, you did. The boy’s palm pattern is an Adinkra symbol, the language that is written on the bodies of the gods and within the empty spaces of the universe,” the woman says.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Closely spaced pregnancies, premature births and low birth weight can follow, while young mothers struggle to breastfeed and care for their children.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

This points to the prospect of further, closely spaced hikes as the war in the Middle East drags on.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

Every species produced laughter with evenly spaced rhythmic intervals between successive sounds.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 2, 2026

Place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, making sure they are evenly spaced.

From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026

I let them sit for a few hours to harden a bit, then planted them, well spaced apart, in the corner.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Government officials said Smart’s debut was always planned to be limited before validating the software and expanding its capabilities, such as spacing out arrival times and planning routes days in advance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

They are common in Congolese cities, which largely lack firefighting equipment, and are often caused by a lack of spacing between buildings and illegal connections to the power grid, specialists say.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

Other defensible space requirements have been on the books for decades, and dictate how homeowners must manage their yard through the spacing of trees, the removal of dead vegetation and other precautions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

By precisely adjusting the size, shape, and spacing of those structures, the researchers gained control over how the material responds to light.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026

“Just spacing out for a second,” she said.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• area
• arena
• capacity
• distance
• field
• location
• slot
• spot
• territory
• zone