arm's length

noun

1

: a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity

kept former friends at arm's length now

2

: the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing

arm's-length

ˈärmz-ˈleŋ(k)th 

-ˈlen(t)th

adjective

Examples of arm's length in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hold that figure at arm's length. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

By June 9, Venus will sit less than two degrees to the upper right of Jupiter in the western sky — roughly the width of two little fingers held at arm's length — while Mercury's steady light will shine to the lower right of the planetary duo, almost lost in the glow of the setting sun. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 June 2026

The officer, who was shot from about an arm's length away, has since recovered from the injuries and is back on duty. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 6 May 2026

Start with 2-3 feeders located within arm's length of each other. — Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for arm's length

• strength

Legal Definition

arm's length

noun

: the condition of the parties to a business deal in which each has independent interests and one does not dominate the other

—often used in the phrase at arm's length

a contract made at arm's length

arm's-length adjective