length

[ lengkth, length, lenth ]

noun

1. the longest extent of anything as measured from end to end:

   the length of a river.

   Synonyms: measure, scope, reach, stretch, span

2. the measure of the greatest dimension of a plane or solid figure.
3. extent from beginning to end of a series, enumeration, account, book, etc.:

   a report running 300 pages in length.

4. extent in time; duration:

   the length of a battle.

5. a distance determined by the extent of something specified:

   Hold the picture at arm's length.

6. a piece or portion of a certain or a known extent:

   a length of rope.

7. the quality or state of being long rather than short:

   a journey remarkable for its length.

8. the extent to which a person might or would go in pursuing something:

   He went to great lengths to get what he wanted.

9. a large extent or expanse of something.
10. the measure from end to end of a horse, boat, etc., as a unit of distance in racing:

    The horse won by two lengths.

11. Clothing. the extent of a garment related to a point it reaches, as on the wearer's body, the floor, or on a garment used as a standard of measurement (usually used in combination):

    an ankle-length gown; a floor-length negligee; a three-quarter-length coat.

12. Prosody, Phonetics.
    1. (of a vowel or syllable) quantity, whether long or short.
    2. the quality of vowels.
13. Bridge. the possession of four or more than four cards in a given suit.
14. Theater Archaic. 42 lines of an acting part.

length

/ lɛŋθ; lɛŋkθ /

noun

1. the linear extent or measurement of something from end to end, usually being the longest dimension or, for something fixed, the longest horizontal dimension
2. the extent of something from beginning to end, measured in some more or less regular units or intervals

   the book was 600 pages in length

3. a specified distance, esp between two positions or locations

   the length of a race

4. a period of time, as between specified limits or moments
5. something of a specified, average, or known size or extent measured in one dimension, often used as a unit of measurement

   a length of cloth

6. a piece or section of something narrow and long

   a length of tubing

7. the quality, state, or fact of being long rather than short
8. usually plural the amount of trouble taken in pursuing or achieving something (esp in the phrase to great lengths )
9. often plural the extreme or limit of action (in phrases such as to any length ( s ), to what length ( s ) would someone go, etc)
10. prosody phonetics the metrical quantity or temporal duration of a vowel or syllable
11. the distance from one end of a rectangular swimming bath to the other Compare width
12. prosody the quality of a vowel, whether stressed or unstressed, that distinguishes it from another vowel of similar articulatory characteristics. Thus ( iː ) in English beat is of greater length than ( ɪ ) in English bit
13. cricket the distance from the batsman at which the ball pitches
14. bridge a holding of four or more cards in a suit
15. informal.
    the general idea; the main purpose
16. at length
    1. in depth; fully
    2. eventually
    3. for a long time; interminably

Word History and Origins

Origin of length¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English length(e), Old English lengthu; cognate with Dutch lengte, Old Norse lengd; long ¹, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of length¹

Old English lengthu; related to Middle Dutch lengede, Old Norse lengd

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at length,
   1. in or to the full extent; completely.
   2. after a time; finally:

      At length there was a step forward in the negotiations.

2. go to any length / lengths, to disregard any impediment that could prevent one from accomplishing one's purpose:

   He would go to any lengths to get his own way.

3. keep at arm's length. arm ¹( def 17 ).

More idioms and phrases containing length

see at arm's length ; at length ; go to any length .

Example Sentences

He suggests universities should think about “a transformation of their offer”, looking closely at the length and range of courses, and how to increase degree apprenticeships where tuition fees are covered mainly through the levy on larger employers.

From BBC

Latest government figures show more than half of women are sent to jail for less than six months, compared to 3% of the total prison population being behind bars for that length of time.

From BBC

Paul Mescal, the actor charged with donning a breastplate and replacing Russell Crowe, is mingling with the crowd, who, given the movie’s length and dinner-hour start time, are almost too busy scarfing down pizza and pasta to notice.

From Los Angeles Times

If strung vertically, along the length of the fake seal’s body, the lights don’t do enough to disrupt the silhouette visible from below.

From Los Angeles Times

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breadth
• diameter
• dimension
• duration
• height
• limit
• magnitude
• mileage
• period
• piece
• portion
• quantity
• radius
• range
• section
• segment
• space
• span
• stretch
• term