dis·tance
ˈdi-stən(t)s 
1
: the quality or state of being distant: such as
a
: spatial remoteness
quite a distance between the two hospitals
c
: difference, disparity
the distance between the two philosophies
2
a(1)
mathematics
: an extent of area or an advance (see advance entry 2 sense 1) along a route measured in a straight line
measure the distance between point A and point B
the distance between the Earth and the Sun
(2)
: an extent of space measured other than linearly
within walking distance
b
: separation (see separation sense 2b) in time
spanning the distance of several centuries
c(1)
: length of a race or contest
won both the 400 meter and the 800 meter distances
(2)
: the full length (as of a prizefight or ball game)
(3)
: a long race
distance training
d
: an extent of advance from a beginning
they carried Puritan severity quite a distance—
John Gould
John Gould
e
: expanse
A distance of field, woods, and diluted November sky …—Elizabeth Bowen
Elizabeth Bowen
f
mathematics
: the degree or amount of separation between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
3
: a distant point or region
gazed out into the distance
4
a
: capacity to observe dispassionately
b
fine arts
: aesthetic distance
5
obsolete
: discord
distanced; distancing
1
: to make or maintain a personal or emotional separation from : 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
: taking place via electronic media linking instructors and students who are not together in a classroom
distance learning
distance education
Examples of distance in a Sentence
Noun
What is the distance between the Earth and the Sun?
The gas station is a short distance away.
Speed is measured in time and distance.
She kept the children a safe distance from the road.
The sign was hard to read from a distance.
We followed them at a distance.
She feels a distance from her brother that wasn't there before.
Although they were once good friends, there was now considerable distance between them.
He wants to put distance between himself and his former boss.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
That distance is equivalent to about 1 percent of the distance from Earth to the Sun.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The brothers have been distanced since the publication of Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2025
Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 24 Aug. 2022
At one point, the former employee said, Johnson called out the employee and a mid-distance runner in front of the team during a training session inside the Moshofsky Center, the school’s indoor practice facility.
—Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for distance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Even with concerns about him over a distance, Aspinall might be able to win three rounds via wrestling here and survive the championship rounds if needed.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
That distance is equivalent to about 1 percent of the distance from Earth to the Sun.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
The project steals the landmark album’s lyrics, but then distances itself from hip-hop with a corny new name and title.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The brothers have been distanced since the publication of Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Doug Mayer, an American who operates the Run the Alps trail running tour business out of Chamonix, said the PTL is closer to a mountaineering adventure than a typical ultra-distance trail running race.
—Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 24 Aug. 2022
At one point, the former employee said, Johnson called out the employee and a mid-distance runner in front of the team during a training session inside the Moshofsky Center, the school’s indoor practice facility.
—Ken Goe For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for distance
Cite this Entry
“Distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distance. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distance
1 of 3 noun
dis·tance
ˈdis-tən(t)s
1
a
: separation in time
b
: the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
c
: the full length
go the distance
2
: the quality or state of being not friendly : reserve
3
: a distant point or place
a light seen in the distance
distance
2 of 3 verb
distanced; distancing
1
: to make or keep an emotional separation from
2
: to leave far behind
distance
3 of 3 adjective
: taking place using electronic media that links instructors and students who are not together in a classroom
distance learning
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