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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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