plural lengths ˈleŋ(k)ths How to pronounce length (audio)
ˈlen(t)ths,
ˈleŋ(k)s
1
a
: the longer or longest dimension of an object
b
: a measured distance or dimension
10 feet in length
see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table
c
: the quality or state of being long
the length of the journey
2
a
: duration or extent in time
b
: relative duration or stress of a sound (such as a vowel or syllable in prose or a note in music)
3
a
: distance or extent in space
a street with its length of colonial houses
b
: the length of something taken as a unit of measure
his horse led by a length
4
: the degree to which something (such as a course of action or a line of thought) is carried
often used in plural
went to great lengths to learn the truth
5
a
: a long expanse or stretch
her lengths of lustrous hair
b
: a piece constituting or usable as part of a whole or of a connected series : section
a length of pipe
6
: the longer or vertical dimension of a piece of clothing
often used in combination
elbow-length sleeves
Phrases
at length
1
: fully, comprehensively
The issue was debated at length.
2
: at last : finally
We at length reached the top of the mountain.

Examples of length in a Sentence

The length of the table is six feet, and its width is three feet. These pins are available in one- and two-inch lengths. The adult animals reach a maximum length of two meters. Your essay should be no more than 250 words in length. the length of a movie They were two car lengths behind us.
Recent Examples on the Web Sizes: 23-37 in extra short, short, regular, long, and extra long lengths | Material Makeup: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Care: Machine wash on cold Best Trouser Jeans Lee Legendary Trouser Jean View On Lee.com Add a pair of dressy jeans to your wardrobe with the Lee Legendary Trouser Jean. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Michael’s white crappie was similar in size, weighing 1.25 pounds and stretching more than 13 inches in length. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 Before Spanish colonizers arrived in the region, that area held a village and a massive shell mound with a height of 20 feet and the length and width of a football field that was a ceremonial and burial site. Olga R. Rodriguez, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 To avoid nails looking too flat, try a long length with a narrower shape. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 Making the case for EVs involves comparing their cost over the length of ownership, which yields significant savings due to lower refueling (or recharging) and lower maintenance bills. José Rodríguez Jr. / Jalopnik, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Modifications to reservations that result in an increase in the length of stay will be assessed the additional nights’ fees only and not the $10 cancellation/modification fee. Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Given the length of time that the demonstrators spent in pre-trial detention, the court said, a prison sentence would have been excessive. Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Along with the tank and denim, the singer rocked a fresh haircut, her dark brown tresses falling around shoulder length, with the ends curled in a tousled take on the ‘60s-esque flip hairstyle. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'length.' 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

Middle English lengthe, from Old English lengthu, from lang long

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of length was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near length

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

1
a
: the measured distance from one end to the other of the longer or longest side of an object
also : any measured distance
b
: the quality or state of being long
2
a
: the amount of time something takes
the length of a visit
b
: the sound of a vowel or syllable as it is affected by the time needed to pronounce it
3
: a piece of something long
a length of pipe
4
: the distance from top to bottom of an article of clothing

More from Merriam-Webster on length

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