range

1 of 2

noun

ˈrānj 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: a series of things in a line : row

(2)

: a series of mountains

(3)

: one of the north-south rows of townships in a U.S. public-land survey that are numbered east and west from the principal meridian of the survey

b

: an aggregate of individuals in one order

c

: a direction line

2

: a cooking stove that has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements

3

a

: a place that may be ranged over

b

: an open region over which animals (such as livestock) may roam and feed

c

: the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs

4

: the act of ranging about

5

a(1)

: the horizontal distance to which a projectile can be propelled

(2)

: the horizontal distance between a weapon and target

b

: the maximum distance a vehicle or craft can travel without refueling

c(1)

: a place where shooting is practiced

(2)

: driving range

6

a

: the space or extent included, covered, or used : scope

b

: the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within the capacity of a voice or instrument

7

a

: a sequence, series, or scale between limits

a wide range of patterns

b

: the limits of a series : the distance or extent between possible extremes

c

: the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution

8

a

: the set of values a function may take on

b

: the class of admissible values of a variable

9

: line sense 11

range

2 of 2

verb

ranged; ranging

transitive verb

1

a

: to set in a row or in the proper order

b

: to place among others in a position or situation

c

: to assign to a category : classify

2

a

: to rove over or through

b

: to sail or pass along

3

: to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck

4

: to graze (livestock) on a range

intransitive verb

1

a

: to roam at large or freely

b

: to move over an area so as to explore it

2

: to take a position

3

a

: to correspond in direction or line : align

b

: to extend in a particular direction

4

: to have range

5

: to change or differ within limits

6

of an organism : to live or occur in or be native to a region

Synonyms

Noun

• lea
• ley
• pasturage
• pasture

Verb

• assort
• break down
• categorize
• class
• classify
• codify
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• group
• peg
• place
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

Choose the Right Synonym for range

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control).

range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of range in a Sentence

Noun

knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze

didn't know she had such a wide range of knowledge until I talked to her

Verb

The selection of food ranged from mild to very spicy.

Items on the menu range from American fare like hamburgers and hot dogs to Italian pasta dishes.

Grizzly bears range over a much smaller area than they once did.

The plant once ranged across the island.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The judges’ decision modifies a lower court’s injunction that had affected a wide range of government departments and agencies. —Cat Zakrzewski, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023

Just like terrycloth towels, waffle towels come in a range of sizes, colors, and varieties. —Lauren Wellbank, Woman's Day, 8 Sep. 2023

The Specially Selected Wine Collection stands out with its brand new bottles, high quality, and a generous selection from from a wide and distinct range of wineries. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023

Naturally, the news of the baby’s name has elicited a wide range of reactions from fans. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 8 Sep. 2023

Tours typically begin in the elegant library, where Swarts discusses the country’s complex colonial history and the range of creative influences that converged over the centuries. —Sarah Khan, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2023

Indoor air may be contaminated not just by pathogens, but also by a range of pollutants like carbon monoxide, radon and lead particles. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2023

Some experts say a range of federal agencies already have regulatory powers that cover aspects of AI. —Ian Prasad Philbrick, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023

And Meta, understandably, would rather have just one Messenger app to maintain on Android, as well as offering them a much larger range of in-app features (and ways to collect data about its users). —Matthew Humphries, PCMAG, 25 Aug. 2023

Verb

Choose any number of high-quality prints ranging from 8 x 8 inches all the way up to 16 x 20 inches. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023

Nine members of the Celtics dynasty have their names on at least six NBA titles, ranging from Bob Cousy (6) to Bill Russell (11). —Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023

In addition to new vehicles ranging from pickups to high-performance coupes, electric vehicle pioneer Tesla returns to the show for the first time in years, with four vehicles available for rides on an indoor EV track. —Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023

Similarly to vegetables, legumes also provide a ton of fiber which has benefits ranging from reducing risk of cardiovascular disease to helping control blood sugar levels. —Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023

Justice Department appealed Oath Keepers sentences as too short The Justice Department is appealing Oath Keeper sentences ranging up to 18 years as too short. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023

Michael Prosper has run sound at local venues ranging from the marquee Von Braun Center to punk dive Copper Top. —Matt Wake | [e-mail], al, 8 Sep. 2023

The Foundation holds annual master classes for musicians ranging from three to 18 years old. —Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Pitchfork, 8 Sep. 2023

Why trust Good Housekeeping? Jamie Spain has reviewed a wide range of consumer product goods, primarily focusing on the parenting and pet space, but expanding into a wide array of lifestyle goods ranging from diaper changing pads and UPF clothing to laptops and lunch bags. —Jamie Spain, Good Housekeeping, 28 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, row of persons, from Anglo-French range, renge, from renger to range

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French renger, from renc, reng line, place, row — more at rank entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing range

• dynamic range
• at close range
• radio range
• short-range
• free-range
• long-range
• within the range/realm of possibility
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• driving range
• range finder
• home range

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• dynamic range
• at close range
• radio range
• short-range
• free-range
• long-range
• within the range/realm of possibility
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• driving range
• range finder
• home range

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Kids Definition

range

1 of 2 noun

ˈrānj 

1

: a series of things in a line

a range of mountains

2

: a cooking stove

3

a

: open land over which livestock may roam and feed

b

: the place where a certain kind of animal or plant naturally lives

4

: the act of ranging about

5

a

: the maximum distance a weapon can shoot, a missile can travel, or a vehicle can go without refueling

b

: the distance between a weapon and its target

c

: a place where shooting is practiced

a rifle range

6

a

: the distance or amount included or gone over : scope

the range of one's knowledge

b

: the extent of pitch covered by a voice or instrument or a melody

7

a

: a sequence, series, or scale between limits

out of our price range

a wide range of colors

b

: the difference between the least and greatest of a set of values

range

2 of 2 verb

ranged; ranging

1

a

: to set in a row or in proper order

b

: to set in place among others of the same kind

2

: to roam freely

3

: to vary within limits

the temperature ranged from 50° to 90°

Medical Definition

range

1 of 2 noun

ˈrānj 

often attributive

1

: the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs

2

: the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution

range

2 of 2 intransitive verb

ranged; ranging

1

: to change or differ within limits

symptoms range in severity from mild to severe

2

of an organism : to live or occur in or be native to a region