middle distance

noun

Definition of middle distance

1 : a part of a pictorial representation or scene between the foreground and the background

2 : any footrace distance usually from 800 to 1500 meters or from 880 yards to one mile

See middle distance defined for English-language learners

Examples of middle distance in a Sentence

As I looked out over the water, a small boat appeared in the middle distance.

Recent Examples of middle distance from the Web

Bush stared into the middle distance with a vulnerable look on his face—part panic, part disbelief, mostly bewilderment.

— john hendrickson, Esquire, "These Handwritten Notes from Air Force One on 9/11 Are Surreal," 10 Sep. 2016

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

First Known Use of middle distance

1803

MIDDLE DISTANCE Defined for English Language Learners

middle distance

noun

Definition of middle distance for English Language Learners

the middle distance : the area in a scene or view that is neither very close nor very far away : an area between the foreground and the background
: a racing distance that is neither short nor long and that is usually between 800 to 1,500 meters