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range

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The definition of a range is a series of things or the limit to which something can reach or a place where animals live and eat.

(noun)

An example of range is a group of mountains.
An example of range is the maximum distance a gun can shoot a bullet.
An example of range is a large area of land with buffalo.

Range is defined as to set or place in order or position.

(verb)

An example of range is to line students up from tallest to shortest.

See range in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb ranged, ranging

to arrange in a certain order; esp., to set in a row or rows
to put into the proper class or classes; systematize
to place with others in a cause, party, etc.: to range oneself with the rebels
to put (a gun, telescope, etc.) in a line with the target or object, at a proper angle of elevation; train
Now Rare to make level or even
to travel over or through; roam about: to range the woods
to travel or move along: to range the coastline
☆ to put out (cattle, etc.) to graze on a range
to arrange (the anchor cable) in even rows on deck

Origin: ME rangen < OFr ranger, var. of rengier, to arrange in a circle, row (> ME rengen) < renc < Frank *hring, akin to OE, OHG hring, ring

intransitive verb

to extend, reach, or lie in a given direction or in a row: hills ranging toward the south
to wander about; roam
to move about an area, as in hunting: dogs ranging through the woods
to have a specified range: a gun that ranges five miles
to vary between stated limits: children ranging in age from 5 to 12
Biol. to be native to a specified region

noun

a row, line, or series; rank
a class, kind, or order
a series of connected mountains considered as a single system
1. the maximum effective horizontal distance that a weapon can fire its projectile
2. the horizontal distance from a weapon to its target
3. the path of flight for a missile or rocket
4. the distance to or from any target, goal, or object of interest: to view a wild animal at close range
the maximum distance a plane, etc. can travel without fueling
1. a place for shooting practice
2. a place for testing rockets in flight
the full extent over which something moves or is heard, seen, understood, effective, etc.; scope: the range of one's studies
full extent of pitch, from highest to lowest tones, of a voice, instrument, composition, etc.
a wandering or roaming
☆ a large, open area of land over which livestock can wander and graze
the limits of possible variations of amount, degree, etc.: a wide range of prices
a unit for cooking, typically including an oven and surface heating units and usually operated by gas or electricity
☆ in U.S. public surveying, a strip of land between two meridian lines six miles apart, constituting a row of townships
Biol. the region to which a plant or animal is native
Math. the set of all distinct values that may be taken on by a given function
Statistics the difference between the largest and smallest values in a sample

Origin: ME reng < OFr renc

adjective

of a range, or open grazing place

See range in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability.
b. The area or sphere in which an activity takes place.
c. The full extent covered: within the range of possibilities.
a. An amount or extent of variation: a wide price range.
b. Music The gamut of tones that a voice or instrument is capable of producing. Also called compass.
a. The maximum extent or distance limiting operation, action, or effectiveness, as of a projectile, aircraft, radio signal, or sound.
b. The maximum distance that can be covered by a vehicle with a specified payload before its fuel supply is exhausted.
c. The distance between a projectile weapon and its target.
A place equipped for practice in shooting at targets.
Aerospace A testing area at which rockets and missiles are launched and tracked.
An extensive area of open land on which livestock wander and graze.
The geographic region in which a plant or animal normally lives or grows.
The act of wandering or roaming over a large area.
Mathematics The set of all values a given function may take on.
Statistics The difference or interval between the smallest and largest values in a frequency distribution.
A class, rank, or order: The candidate had broad support from the lower ranges of the party.
Abbr. Ra. An extended group or series, especially a row or chain of mountains.
One of a series of double-faced bookcases in a library stack room.
Abbr. R A north-south strip of townships, each six miles square, numbered east and west from a specified meridian in a U.S. public land survey.
A stove with spaces for cooking a number of things at the same time.

verb ranged ranged, rang·ing, rang·es

verb, transitive

To arrange or dispose in a particular order, especially in rows or lines.
To assign to a particular category; classify.
To align (a gun, for example) with a target.
a. To determine the distance of (a target).
b. To be capable of reaching (a maximum distance).
To pass over or through (an area or region).
To turn (livestock) onto an extensive area of open land for grazing.
Nautical To uncoil (an anchor cable) on deck so the anchor may descend easily.

verb, intransitive

To vary within specified limits: ages that ranged from two to five.
To extend in a particular direction: a river that ranges to the east.
To extend or lie in the same direction: “Whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with mine” (Shakespeare).
To pass over or through an area or region in or as if in exploration.
To wander freely; roam.
To live or grow within a particular region.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, row, rank

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from rangier, to put in a row

Origin: , from rang, reng, line

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see sker-² in Indo-European roots

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