remote

1 of 2

adjective

re·​mote ri-ˈmōt How to pronounce remote (audio)
remoter; remotest
1
: separated by an interval or space greater than usual
an involucre remote from the flower
2
: far removed in space, time, or relation : divergent
the remote past
comments remote from the truth
3
: out-of-the-way, secluded
a remote cabin in the hills
4
: being, relating to, or involving a means of doing or using something indirectly or from a distance: such as
a
: using or involving a network connection between computers or systems in different locations
a remote workforce
remote learning
files stored on remote servers
Just think about if an employee has an issue with their laptop—you'll need a remote desktop tool to take control of their machine to try and diagnose the issue.Lisa Ardill
b
: being or relating to a means of collecting data about something (such as an object or an area) from a distance (as by using radar or photography)
Using remote cameras, researchers got photos of 18 ocelots over an eight-year period.Tony Davis
Using up to three remote sensors, the unit gives you indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity.Cliff Gromer
Satellite remote sensing offers a step change in our ability to map and monitor the extent of Antarctica's terrestrial biosphere.Andrew Gray et al.
see also remote access, remote control, remote controlled
5
: not arising from a primary or proximate action
6
: small in degree : slight
a remote possibility
hadn't the remotest idea of what was going on
7
: distant in manner : aloof
remoteness noun

remote

2 of 2

noun

1
: a radio or television program or a portion of a program originating outside the studio
2

Examples of remote in a Sentence

Adjective She enjoys reading about remote lands. The mission is to transport medical supplies to remote areas of the globe. a tradition that dates back to remote antiquity an invention that may be available in the remote future There is a remote possibility that I'll be free Friday night.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Cellular is available from my car, even in remote areas. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Virgin Voyages is offering shorter four-week cruises aimed at remote workers, with ample coffee and Wi-Fi benefits. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 While some remote workers have the flexibility to keep their jobs here while living outside the county, that ends up being an economic hit to San Diego, says Gin. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024 The region’s accelerating population growth has done little to relieve some areas of the District hit hardest by pandemic closures and the absence of remote workers. Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 After a six-week trip to India in 1984, Olga Murray flew to Nepal to hike through remote Himalayan villages. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Seven of the nine victims killed Friday in a crash in west-central Wisconsin were members of an Amish community from a remote Appalachian region in Virginia. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2024 Season tickets to Constellation Stage + Screen. Free networking events and happy hours with other remote workers and civic & business leaders. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The promotional materials for the Academy at Ivy Ridge in remote Ogdensburg, N.Y., promised hiking, team sports, horseback riding, group settings that fostered learning, nutritious food and a place for troubled children to thrive and reach their full potential. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
High-touch surfaces like doorknobs and remotes should also be thoroughly cleaned because the virus can stay on objects and surfaces and still infect people for days or weeks after symptoms resolve. Kristina Behr, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 The remote enables Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls, too. Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 26 Feb. 2024 Companies that didn't offer working flexibility started losing talent because finding a better remote job was easy and now many companies—including my own—are 100% remote in order to stay competitive. Sardor Umrdinov, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The value of many buildings has plummeted as millions of workers have stuck with pandemic-era remote working, leaving vast tranches of office space vacant or underused. Anna Cooban, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 As expected, there’s the LCD screen and app that reports real time data, a remote that magnetizes to the device, and several modes. Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2024 Additional Features The best fans for bedrooms had special features like remotes and sleep timers. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2024 Complete with a remote, these candles offer adjustable lighting and convenient on/off control without the need to leave your seat. Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024 There’s a wide temperature range that’s easy to adjust with the remote, and the carbon-fiber coils also help with even heat distribution. Kylie Gilbert, Glamour, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'remote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin remotus, from past participle of removēre to remove

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of remote was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near remote

Cite this Entry

“Remote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remote. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

remote

1 of 2 adjective
re·​mote ri-ˈmōt How to pronounce remote (audio)
remoter; remotest
1
: far removed in place, time, or relation
remote countries
remote ages
remote cousins
2
: secluded sense 1
a remote valley
3
: acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance
remote computer operation
4
: small in degree : slight
a remote possibility
5
: distant in manner : aloof
remotely adverb
remoteness noun

remote

2 of 2 noun

Legal Definition

remote

adjective
re·​mote
remoter; remotest
1
a
: far removed in space, time, or relation
ancestors of a more remote degree
b
: exceeding the time allowed under the rule against perpetuities for the vesting of interests
the residuary clause…violates the rule against remote vestingEstate of Grove, 70 Cal. App. 3d 355 (1977)
also : being in violation of the rule against perpetuities
a remote contingent estate
2
: acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance
3
a
: not proximate or acting directly
b
: not arising from the effect of that which is proximate
4
: small in degree
a remote possibility of paternity
remotely adverb
remoteness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on remote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!