long distance

¹

noun

1. telephone service between distant places.

long-distance

²

[ lawng-dis-tuhns, long- ]

adjective

1. of, from, or between distant places:

   a long-distance phone call.

2. for, over, or covering long distances:

   a long-distance runner.

adverb

1. by long-distance telephone:

   to call someone long-distance.

long-distance

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

adverb

1. by a long-distance telephone line

   he phoned long-distance

Word History and Origins

Origin of long distance¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Origin of long distance²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Whether that may entail working late, traveling long distances, learning something new, or just staying put, we’ve come up with some Valentine’s Day gift ideas that are sure to find a place in your loved one’s life, no matter who they are.

From Popular-Science

Get to know your strengths and weaknesses in a low-stakes way with these tips on dependable choices that can sail satisfyingly long distances on the green, and learn a smart method to explore pro options that take you to the next level of play.

From Popular-Science

The aging American electrical grid doesn’t currently have the ability to distribute power from renewables over long distances, says Matt Oliver, energy economist at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

From Popular-Science

Besides that fast turnaround and the sense of unknown that a search and rescue case brings, he cites the long distances he may need to cover, “the extreme weather,” and the “very dark conditions” as stressors.

From Popular-Science

I had traveled long distance on Amtrak by coach before, and I found the experience echoed all the worst qualities of air travel.

From Washington Post

I was in a long-distance relationship at the time with my high-school boyfriend.

From The Daily Beast

He was smart and tough in the way of the hard worker, the long-distance runner, the gambler who wins on stamina.

From The Daily Beast

At the time, she was also in a long-distance relationship with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.

From The Daily Beast

Many of the dead were killed by long-distance sniper rounds.

From The Daily Beast

It deals with a long distance relationship from Detroit to Tangier.

From The Daily Beast

It was a long distance away, far as his eyes could see, and it appeared like a dark cloud near the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

They were returning from their pursuit of the scouting party and were strung out a long distance along the road.

From Project Gutenberg

It was one of those evenings when everything is quiet and sound travels a long distance.

From Project Gutenberg

He stuffed them all into the pocket of his overcoat, and went out and hunted up a long-distance telephone sign.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time I heard that long-distance telephone connections with Berlin had been reopened.

From Project Gutenberg