distance

[ dis-tuhns ]

noun

1. the extent or amount of space between two things, points, lines, etc.
2. the state or fact of being apart in space, as of one thing from another; remoteness.
3. a linear extent of space:

   Seven miles is a distance too great to walk in an hour.

4. an expanse; area:

   A vast distance of water surrounded the ship.

5. the interval between two points of time; an extent of time:

   His vacation period was a good distance away.

6. remoteness or difference in any respect:

   Our philosophies are a long distance apart.

7. an amount of progress:

   We've come a long distance on the project.

8. a distant point, place, or region.
9. the distant part of a field of view:

   a tree in the distance.

10. absence of warmth; reserve:

    Their first meeting in several years was hampered by a certain distance between them.

    Synonyms: aloofness, coolness, remoteness, restraint

11. Music. interval ( def 6 ).
12. aesthetic distance.
13. Horse Racing. (in a heat race) the space measured back from the winning post that a horse must reach by the time the winner passes the winning post or be eliminated from subsequent heats.
14. Mathematics. the greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.
15. Obsolete. disagreement or dissension; a quarrel.

verb (used with object)

, dis·tanced, dis·tanc·ing.

1. to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.
2. to place at a distance.
3. to cause to appear distant.

distance

/ ˈdɪstəns /

noun

1. the intervening space between two points or things
2. the length of this gap
3. the state of being apart in space; remoteness
4. an interval between two points in time
5. the extent of progress; advance
6. a distant place or time

   he lives at a distance from his work

7. a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity
8. geometry
   1. the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
   2. the length along a straight line or curve
9. the distance
   the distance the most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
10. horse racing
    1. a point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post
    2. any interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race
    3. the part of a racecourse that a horse must reach in any heat before the winner passes the finishing line in order to qualify for later heats
11. go the distance
    go the distance
    1. boxing to complete a bout without being knocked out
    2. to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility
12. keep one's distance
    keep one's distance to maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person
13. the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape
14. middle distance
    middle distance
    1. (in a picture) halfway between the foreground and the horizon
    2. (in a natural situation) halfway between the observer and the horizon
15. modifier athletics relating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a mile

    a distance runner

verb

1. to hold or place at a distance
2. to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something
3. to outdo; outstrip

Other Words From

• distance·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of distance¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin distantia, from distant- (stem of distāns “standing apart”; distant ) + -ia -y ³; replacing Middle English destaunce, from Anglo-French

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go the distance,
   1. (in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
   2. Informal. to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
2. keep at a distance, to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.
3. keep one's distance, to avoid becoming familiar or involved; remain cool or aloof.

More idioms and phrases containing distance

see go the distance ; keep one's distance ; spitting distance .

Example Sentences

Clark said masks were optional, as long as six feet of distance was kept, and temperatures were checked.

From Voice of San Diego

Fortunately, sound waves can travel great distances through the ocean, thanks to a curious phenomenon known as the SOFAR Channel, short for Sound Fixing and Ranging.

From Science News

They connected the two electron charges with one “effective” charge that varied with distance.

From Quanta Magazine

Richard Barrera, a San Diego Unified trustee, suggested during a town hall that it was actually a silver lining of distance learning that students at Lincoln and elsewhere would have increased access to AP classes.

From Voice of San Diego

It was here that my girlfriend and I decided we’d go for our first drink after quarantine — mostly because of it being within walking distance and a few Yelp reviews suggesting unusually cheap drinks.

From Ozy

Their leader, Njie, still going by “Dave” during the operation, would stay a safe distance away until the State House was secure.

From The Daily Beast

“The level of outside support… has not been sufficient enough for them to distance themselves from al Nusra,” Cafarella said.

From The Daily Beast

The younger brother would try everything in his power from a distance to subdue the roaring flames of passion.

From The Daily Beast

How much distance was there between the two men when Brown was shot?

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

Off went the officers again, some distance to the front, and then back again to their men, and got them on a little further.

From Project Gutenberg

Distance, the uncertain light, and imagination, magnified it to a high wall; high as the wall of China.

From Project Gutenberg

A lateen sail was visible in the direction of Cat Island, and others to the south seemed almost motionless in the far distance.

From Project Gutenberg

And the others, not knowing that he had that day repented, sat at their distance and tried to form no conclusion.

From Project Gutenberg

We see the whole land, even if but at a distance, instead of being limited merely to the spot where our foot treads.

From Project Gutenberg