Distance (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

Admin
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.
  11. interval (def. 6).
  12. aesthetic distance.
  13. (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. the greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.
  15. 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.
Idioms
  1. go the distance,
    • (in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
    • to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
  2. to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.
  3. to avoid becoming familiar or involved; remain cool or aloof.
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
  7. a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity
  8. geometry
    • the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
    • the length along a straight line or curve
  9. the most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
  10. 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
  11. go the distance
    • to complete a bout without being knocked out
    • to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility
  12. 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
    • (in a picture) halfway between the foreground and the horizon
    • (in a natural situation) halfway between the observer and the horizon
  15. relating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a mile
verb (tr)
  1. to hold or place at a distance
  2. to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something
  3. to outdo; outstrip
Distance (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

More Definitions