distance

¹dis·tance

noun \ˈdis-tən(t)s\

Definition of DISTANCE

1

obsolete : discord

2

a : separation in time

b : the degree or amount of separation between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects

c (1) : an extent of area or an advance along a route measured linearly (2) : an extent of space measured other than linearly <within walking distance>

d : an extent of advance from a beginning

e : expanse

f (1) : length of a race or contest <won at all distances> (2) : the full length (as of a prizefight or ball game) (3) : a long race <distance training>

3

: the quality or state of being distant: as

a : spatial remoteness

b : personal and especially emotional separation; also : reserve, coldness

c : difference, disparity

4

: a distant point or region

5

a : aesthetic distance

b : capacity to observe dispassionately

— go the distance also last the distance

: to complete a course of action

Examples of DISTANCE

1. What is the distance between the Earth and the Sun?
2. The gas station is a short distance away.
3. Speed is measured in time and distance.
4. She kept the children a safe distance from the road.
5. The sign was hard to read from a distance.
6. We followed them at a distance.
7. She feels a distance from her brother that wasn't there before.
8. Although they were once good friends, there was now considerable distance between them.
9. He wants to put distance between himself and his former boss.

First Known Use of DISTANCE

14th century

Related to DISTANCE

Synonyms

lead, length, remove, spacing, spread, stretch, way

Antonyms

alikeness, analogousness, analogy, community, likeness, resemblance, sameness, similarity

Related Words

altitude, area, breadth, depth, height, rise, space, volume, width; extension, extent; cast, range, reach, scope, shot, sweep, throw; drop, fall, flight, haul; berth, clearance

Near Antonyms

identicalness, identity; accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence, parallelism, similitude; equality, equivalence, equivalency; homogeneity, homogeneousness, uniformity

²distance

transitive verb

dis·tanceddis·tanc·ing

Definition of DISTANCE

1

: to place or keep at a distance <able to distance themselves from the tragedy> <distances herself from her coworkers>

2

: to leave far behind : outstrip <easily distanced the other candidates in the race>

First Known Use of DISTANCE

1578

³distance

adjective

Definition of DISTANCE

: taking place via electronic media linking instructors and students who are not together in a classroom <distance learning> <distance education>

First Known Use of DISTANCE

1972