long-distance

adjective long-dis·tance \ ˈlȯŋ-ˈdi-stən(t)s \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of long-distance

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

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First Known Use of long-distance

1848

in the meaning defined at sense 2b

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long-distance

adverb

Definition of long-distance

1 : by long-distance telephone

called her long-distance

2 : over or from a long distance

First Known Use of long-distance

1850

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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long distance

noun

Definition of long distance

1 : communication by long-distance telephone

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

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Recent Examples of long distance from the Web

Much of their courtship happened long distance, as Johnson was traveling with the Steelers for work.

— jeff nelson, PEOPLE.com, "Michelle Williams Is Engaged! How the Destiny's Child Star Found Love with Pastor Chad Johnson," 19 Apr. 2018
Endurance exercises, such as marathon training or cycling long distances, can lower levels, as can stress.

— randi hutter epstein, New York Times, "The Highs and Lows of Testosterone," 27 Mar. 2018
North American fleet owners last month ordered 40,200 Class 8 trucks, the vehicles used to haul goods long distances, a 76% jump compared to the same month in 2017, according to preliminary figures from freight analysts FTR.

— jennifer smith, WSJ, "Heavy-Duty Truck Orders Soared 76% in February," 5 Mar. 2018
Peru kept peppering from long distance, with Edison Flores following suit in the 11th minute with a chance that whizzed over the crossbar.

— avi creditor, SI.com, "WATCH: Poulsen Gives Denmark Win Over Peru After Cueva Skies PK Chance," 16 June 2018
Known for his ability to pipe the ball long distances, Kokrak's 285.5-yard driving average was well below the average for the rest of the field through two rounds.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Ex-Moeller golfer Andrew Dorn makes the cut at Memorial Tournament, chasing Jason Day and other world elites," 3 June 2018
The Pelicans also struggled from long distance, matching a season low with four 3-pointers made while converting on a season-worst 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.

— christopher dabe, NOLA.com, "How Warriors' 'death' lineup could spell doom for Pelicans," 7 May 2018
When Miles is effective from long distance, that helps space the floor for DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to operate in one-on-one isolation situations.

— jeff zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Jrue Holiday, Terry Rozier among under-the-radar stars of NBA playoffs," 18 Apr. 2018
From harvesting donor organs from pigs to growing organs in the lab to developing better ways to transport organs over long distances, scientists are working on ways to close the gap.

— NBC News, "6 surprising ways driverless cars will change our world," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'long distance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of long distance

1902

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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LONG-DISTANCE Defined for English Language Learners

long-distance

adjective

Definition of long-distance for English Language Learners

: going or covering a great distance
: involving people who are far apart
of a telephone call : connecting to a place that is far away

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See words that rhyme with long-distance Spanish Central: Translation of long-distance

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long distance

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long-distance

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long-distance

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