distance

Distance is the amount of space between two things or the state of being far apart. (noun)

To distance means to leave behind. (verb)

An example of to distance is to stop talking to a certain friend, to distance yourself from your friend.

See distance in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the fact or condition of being separated or removed in space or time; remoteness
a gap, space, or interval between two points, lines, objects, etc.
an interval between two points in time
the length of a line between two points: the distance between Paris and Rome
a remoteness in relationship; dissimilarity; disparity: the distance between wealth and poverty
a remoteness in behavior; coolness of manner; reserve
a remote point in space: away in the distance
a faraway point of time: at this distance we cannot know Neanderthal man
Painting the depicting of distance, as in a landscape
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

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.
to do better or more than; leave behind; outdo; outdistance

See distance in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(dĭsˈtəns)

noun

The extent of space between two objects or places; an intervening space.
The fact or condition of being apart in space; remoteness.
Mathematics The length or numerical value of a straight line or curve.
a. The extent of space between points on a measured course.
b. The length of a race, especially of a horserace.
a. A point or area that is far away: “Telephone poles stretched way into a distance I couldn't quite see” (Leigh Allison Wilson).
b. A depiction of a such a point or area.
A stretch of space without designation of limit; an expanse: a land of few hills and great distances.
The extent of time between two events; an intervening period.
A point removed in time: At a distance of 11 years, his memory of the crime was blurry.
The full period or length of a contest or game: The challenger had never attempted the distance of 12 rounds.
An amount of progress: The curriculum committee is a distance from where it was last month.
Difference or disagreement: The candidates could not be at a greater distance on this issue.
Emotional separateness or reserve; aloofness.

transitive verb dis·tanced, dis·tanc·ing, dis·tanc·es

To place or keep at or as if at a distance: “To understand Russian strategy … it is necessary for us to distance ourselves from our own myths and to enter into theirs” (Freeman J. Dyson).
To cause to appear at a distance.
To leave far behind; outrun.

See distance in Ologies

Distance