long-distance

1 of 3

adjective

long-dis·​tance ˈlȯŋ-ˈdi-stən(t)s 

1

: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point especially outside a specified area

2

a

: situated a long distance away

b

: going or covering a long distance

long-distance roads

a long-distance runner

c

: conducted or effective over long distance

a long-distance relationship

long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3

adverb

1

: by long-distance telephone

called her long-distance

2

: over or from a long distance

long distance

3 of 3

noun

1

: communication by long-distance telephone

2

: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections

Examples of long-distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For example, long-distance highway and bumper-to-bumper urban traffic driving. — Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Here, this type of long-distance service is only offered by Amtrak, the country’s passenger railroad company. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Adverb

After all travel dropped during the pandemic, most transit agencies rebounded slowly, but long-distance bus and rail ridership shot back up. — Lena Guerrero Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

The long-distance dis came on the heels of Ibrahimović’s growly rebuttal following France’s opener against Senegal, an exchange that seems to have set the tone for the rest of the tournament. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 2026

Noun

Humpback whales are known for roaming long distances across major oceans in predictable patterns, typically following migration routes learned from their mothers. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

These commercial ties created trust, credit and opportunity across long distances. — R. Grant Gilmore Iii, The Conversation, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Adverb

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

long-distance

1 of 3 adjective

long-dis·​tance

-ˈdis-tən(t)s

1

: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point

2

a

: situated a long distance away

b

: going or covering a long distance

long-distance roads

a long-distance runner

c

: conducted or effective over a long distance

a long-distance relationship

long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3 adverb

: by long-distance telephone

long distance

3 of 3 noun

1

: communication by long-distance telephone

2

: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections