Definition of inch
1
: a unit of length equal to ¹/₃₆ yard — see Weights and Measures Table
2
: a small amount, distance, or degree
- is like cutting a dog's tail off by inches
- —Milton Friedman
4 a
: a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch
b
: a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (such as mercury) one inch high in a barometer or manometer
5
: a small advantage especially from lenient or compassionate treatment
—usually used in the phrase give an inch
—
every inch
: to the utmost degree
- looks every inch a winner
—
inch by inch
: very gradually or slowly
—
within an inch of
: almost to the point of
- came within an inch of succeeding
