space

[ speys ]

/ speɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR space ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

the portion or extent of this in a given instance; extent or room in three dimensions: the space occupied by a body.

extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface: to fill out blank spaces in a document.

Fine Arts.

the designed and structured surface of a picture: In Mondrian's later work he organized space in highly complex rhythms.
the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.

outer space.

deep space.

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

a place available for a particular purpose: a parking space.

linear distance; a particular distance: trees separated by equal spaces.

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

extent, or a particular extent, of time: a space of two hours.

an interval of time; a while: After a space he continued his story.

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

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

an interval or blank area in text: a space between the letters.

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

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

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

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), spaced, spac·ing.

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

to set some distance apart.

Printing, Writing.

to separate (words, letters, or lines) by spaces.
to extend by inserting more space or spaces (usually followed by out).

adjective

of, relating to, or concerned with outer space or deep space: a space mission.

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

Nearby words

sp. ht., sp.ed., spa, spaak, spaatz, space, space age, space bar, space biology, space blanket, space cadet

Origin of space

1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Old French espace < Latin spatium

Related forms

spac·er, nounmis·space, verb (used with object), mis·spaced, mis·spac·ing.re·space, verb (used with object), re·spaced, re·spac·ing.

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

Examples from the Web for space

Space Invaders had just been introduced in America, and Atari was looking for a game that would do it one better.
‘Asteroids’ & The Dawn of the Gamer Age|David Owen|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her very first sculpture, a metallic chrome unicorn aptly titled “Space Oracle,” sits on a pedestal directly in front.
The Tiniest Jackson Pollock|Justin Jones|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It should also be noted that Space Jam did not make the cut, so you can rest easy.
Basketball Bounces Through Classic Movies|Alex Chancey, The Daily Beast Video|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This column also appears in the latest issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology.
How the Pentagon Strangles Its Most Advanced Stealth Warplanes|Bill Sweetman|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Matutes group also owns the mythic Space Club and the giant Privilege Club.
The Battle to Be King of Ibiza Nightlife|Melanie Mendelewitsch|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Space fell into sleep, and awoke as Enitharmon: Time suffered eclipse, and came forth as Los.
William Blake|Algernon Charles Swinburne
Space said to measure movement because of its determination, iii.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 4|Plotinos (Plotinus)
Took a suite in Space Verge hotel with four quote secretaries unquote, and has refused to see anyone.
The Telenizer|Don Thompson
Space could always be found for a head, and skill to execute it.
The Grotesque in Church Art|T. Tindall Wildridge
Space does not permit my mentioning by name all who have furnished me with material, but I do wish to record my gratitude to them.
Frank H. Nelson of Cincinnati|Warren C. Herrick

British Dictionary definitions for space

space

/ (speɪs) /

noun

the unlimited three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are locatedRelated adjective: spatial

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

a blank portion or area

unoccupied area or roomthere is no space for a table
(in combination)space-saving Related adjective: spacious

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

the region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc; universe
(as modifier)a space probe; space navigation

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
(as modifier)a space station; a space simulator

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

printing

a piece of metal, less than type-high, used to separate letters or words in hot-metal printing
any of the gaps used to separate letters, words, or lines in photocomposition, desktop publishing, etc

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

maths a collection of unspecified points having properties that obey a specified set of axiomsEuclidean space

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

verb (tr)

to place or arrange at intervals or with spaces between

to divide into or by spacesto space one's time evenly

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

Word Origin for space

C13: from Old French espace, from Latin spatium

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 space

space

[ spās ]

n.

A particular area, extent, or cavity of the body.

Science definitions for space

space

[ spās ]

The region of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.♦ The part of this region within the solar system is known as interplanetary space.♦ The part of this region beyond the solar system but within the Milky Way or within another galaxy is known as interstellar space.♦ The part of this region between the Milky Way and other galaxies is known as intergalactic space.

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

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.

Idioms and Phrases with space

space

In addition to the idiom beginning with space

space out

also see:

breathing space
take up space