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distance
[ dis-tuhns ]
noun
- the extent or amount of space between two things, points, lines, etc.
- the state or fact of being apart in space, as of one thing from another; remoteness.
- a linear extent of space:
Seven miles is a distance too great to walk in an hour.
- an expanse; area:
A vast distance of water surrounded the ship.
- the interval between two points of time; an extent of time:
His vacation period was a good distance away.
- remoteness or difference in any respect:
Our philosophies are a long distance apart.
- an amount of progress:
We've come a long distance on the project.
- a distant point, place, or region.
- the distant part of a field of view:
a tree in the distance.
- absence of warmth; reserve:
Their first meeting in several years was hampered by a certain distance between them.
Synonyms: , , ,
- Music. interval ( def 6 ).
- 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.
- Mathematics. the greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.
- Obsolete. disagreement or dissension; a quarrel.
verb (used with object)
- to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.
- to place at a distance.
- to cause to appear distant.
distance
/ ˈɪəԲ /
noun
- the intervening space between two points or things
- the length of this gap
- the state of being apart in space; remoteness
- an interval between two points in time
- the extent of progress; advance
- a distant place or time
he lives at a distance from his work
- a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity
- geometry
- the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
- the length along a straight line or curve
- the distancethe most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
- horse racing
- a point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post
- any interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race
- 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
- go the distance
- boxing to complete a bout without being knocked out
- to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility
- keep one's distanceto maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person
- the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape
- middle distance
- (in a picture) halfway between the foreground and the horizon
- (in a natural situation) halfway between the observer and the horizon
- modifier athletics relating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a mile
a distance runner
verb
- to hold or place at a distance
- to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something
- to outdo; outstrip
Other Word Forms
- 徱tԳ· adjective
Word History and Origins
Idioms and Phrases
- go the distance,
- (in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
- Informal. to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
- keep at a distance, to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.
- 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
But French was historically the language of diplomacy so the President of les États-Unis may well be some distance from his Ukrainian counterpart.
Fence lizards, unlike birds or large mammals, can’t travel long distances to more suitable habitat; they tend to live in the same place.
Pupils are to be offered places at other schools within walking distance, the local authority said.
"I travel this distance every week because Sheena is one of a kind, her classes are inspirational and her teaching style is very exciting," he said.
How much distance have you had from Joe at this point?
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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