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

To some degree, jet lag is an inevitable part of long-distance air travel. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 23 July 2024

The show initially ran on the BBC between 2007 and 2010 , revolving around characters Gavin and Stacey, played by Matthew Horne and Joanna Page, who meet and have a long-distance relationship between Essex, north-east of London, and Barry, in Wales. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 21 July 2024

Adverb

Travelers who take off on months-long, around-the-world cruises enjoy the combination of daily resort-style perks and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences only long-distance cruising can offer. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023

In the East Regional, Michigan State and Kansas State combined for 24 made 3s, both shooting over 45% from long-distance. —Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023

Noun

The goal of this frightening little beauty was to allow a submarine to destroy an enemy sub at long distance by firing a rocket out of a torpedo tube. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 12 July 2024

Garber had recently acquired an airplane that was perfect for the journey: a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza, which racing pilot Bill Odom had used in 1949 to set a world record for nonstop long distance in a light plane, flying 4,957 miles from Honolulu to Teterboro, New Jersey. —Paul Glenshaw, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024

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