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distance definition

dis·tance (dis′təns)

noun

  1. the fact or condition of being separated or removed in space or time; remoteness
  2. a gap, space, or interval between two points, lines, objects, etc.
  3. an interval between two points in time
  4. the length of a line between two points the distance between Paris and Rome
  5. a remoteness in relationship; dissimilarity; disparity the distance between wealth and poverty
  6. a remoteness in behavior; coolness of manner; reserve
  7. a remote point in space away in the distance
  8. a faraway point of time at this distance we cannot know Neanderthal man
  9. Painting the depicting of distance, as in a landscape
  10. Horse Racing a space that is a certain distance back from the finish line: in order to be qualified for future heats, a horse must have reached this space by the time the winner has completed the course

Etymology: ME distaunce < OFr distance < L distantia < distans, prp. of distare, to stand apart < dis-, apart + stare, stand

transitive verb distanced -·tanced, distancing -·tanc·ing

  1. to place or hold at some distance
    1. to place (oneself) at an emotional distance from something
    2. to cause to be at a mental or emotional distance from an audience, reader, etc.
  3. to do better or more than; leave behind; outdo; outdistance
distance Idioms

go the distance

to last through an activity; specif., to pitch an entire baseball game without being replaced

keep at a distance

to be reserved or cool toward; treat aloofly

keep one's distance

to be or remain aloof or reserved

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms distance idiom

medical distance definition - medical

distance Synonyms

distance

n.

  1. A degree or quantity of space

    interval, gap, reach, span, range, remoteness, mileage, yardage, footage; see also expanse, extent, length 1, 2.

  2. A place or places far away

    background, horizon, as far as the eye can see, sky, heavens, outer space, the blue, far lands, outpost, outskirts, foreign countries, new worlds, other worlds, strange places, distant terrain, foreign terrain, unknown terrain, objective, the country, beyond the horizon, ends of the earth, antipodes, jumping-off place, the beyond, the back of beyond, the sticks*. see also country 1.

    Antonyms neighborhood*, surroundings*, neighbors.

  3. A measure of space

    mile, statute mile, English mile, rod, yard, foot, inch, kilometer, meter, centimeter, millimeter, micrometer, league, fathom, ell, span, hand, cubit, furlong, block, way, ways*, a stone's throw*, as the crow flies*, down the road a piece*, spitting distance*, whoop and a holler*, long haul*; see also inch 1, measure 1, mile.

  4. Aloofness

    remoteness, coolness, reserve, restraint; see indifference 1, reserve 2.

go the distance<strong>

finish, bring to an end, see through; see complete 1.

keep at a distance

ignore, reject, shun, keep at arm's length; see avoid.

keep one's distance<strong>

remain aloof, keep out of the way, distance oneself, shun; see avoid.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

distance Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • meter: He was able to receive signals over a distance of some 100 meters.

Converse of object

  • walk: Around The Ground: There are two pubs in short walking distance from the ground, both situated at hotels.

Adjective modifier

  • short: These are within a short distance of the railroad.

Modifies a noun

  • learning: Step 3 Study at Home for your NVQ plumbing theory course through distance learning.

Noun used with modifier

  • walking: There are also many restaurants, of all types, within easy walking distance.
distance usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

distance quotes

To watch a football game is to be in prolonged neurotic doubt as to what you're seeing. It's more like an emergency happening at a distance than a game.

-Barzun,Jacques

TheTyranny of Distance.

-Blainey, Geoffrey Norman

'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view, And robes the mountain in its azure hue.

-Campbell,Thomas

distance quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"distance." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/distance>

APA Style

distance. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/distance

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