DISTANCE Definition & Meaning

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distance

[ dis-tuhns ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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 ).
aesthetic distance.
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)

distanced, distancing.

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

distance

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə�Բ� /

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
1. the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
2. the length along a straight line or curve
the distance
the most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
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
go the distance
1. boxing to complete a bout without being knocked out
2. to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility
keep one's distance
to maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person
the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape
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
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

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Other �y��vlog Forms

�徱��t��Գ��·�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of distance¹

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

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Idioms and Phrases

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.
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 .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Not the most obvious victor in trainer's talented team and no guarantee at all that he will appreciate this marathon distance.

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Considering life from “the cold distance of history,” Ursula gleaned that “in their family, people were always leaving.”

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The event's current heavyweights represent four of the nine fastest men in history over the distance, but Nuguse is the only one yet to get his hands on gold.

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Water graphics, character tweaks, big sprawling race tracks seen from a distance with varying weather and climates - Nintendo is firmly showing fans this console has more under the hood than its predecessor.

From

The distance between the image and the facts on the ground creates feelings of guilt for employees of color, disillusionment from being part of something that isn’t quite true.

From

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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