often attributive
1
: a period of time
also
: its duration
2
3
: one of the degrees between or above or below the lines of a musical staff compare line
4
a
: a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
infinite space and time
b
: physical space independent of what occupies it
called also absolute space
5
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system
6
a
: a blank area separating words or lines
b
: material used to produce such blank area
especially
: a piece of type less than one en in width
7
: a set of mathematical elements and especially of abstractions of all the points on a line, in a plane, or in physical space
especially
: a set of mathematical entities with a set of axioms of geometric character compare metric space, topological space, vector space
8
a
: linage
b
: broadcast time available especially to advertisers
9
: accommodations on a public vehicle
10
a
: the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely
b
: an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself
spaced; spacing
: to place at intervals or arrange with space between
Evenly space 16 tablespoons of shredded cheese on the baking sheet …—
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
—often used with outThe Milwaukee Journal SentinelSpace out the work you plan to do … Don't try to crowd too much into each day.—Darlene Polachic
Darlene Polachic1
: to leave one or more blank spaces (as in a line of typing)
2
informal
: to fail to remember something : forget
… I totally forgot to write last week. I had planned to do it, I had it all figured out, and I spaced.—Steve "Nookie" Postal
—often used with on
Steve "Nookie" PostalIf your mom doesn't live close by, or if you totally spaced on getting her a Mother's Day gift this year, then flowers or chocolates are a great, last-minute gift idea that are sure to brighten her day.—Leah Stodart
see also space out
Leah Stodart
Synonyms
Examples of space in a Sentence
Noun
There's still some space for a bookshelf.
the space behind the couch
Is there space in the cabinet for these dishes?
There's not much empty space.
He moved the books to create more space on his desk.
Those old boxes take up a lot of space.
The magazine devotes a lot of space to advertising.
She has a space between her front teeth.
There isn't much space between our houses.
the wide open spaces of the western U.S.
Verb
Space the seedlings about six inches apart.
He spaces his albums so that he puts one out every two to three years.
They spaced the births of their three children two years apart.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebLaura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
This will come down to your preference and what your outdoor space can accommodate.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
The current record for most consecutive days spent in space overall, with 437, belongs to Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Or add mirrors, which is an especially useful hack for making small spaces look larger.
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 21 Sep. 2023
When completed, the lot will have 29 stages and 1.78 million square feet of production space.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
The space also showcases finishes and furnishings of superyacht caliber.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2023
Plants and pets: Your furry friends and greenery add more life to your spaces.
—Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
Once people do find shelter space, the path out of homelessness can be arduous, with long wait times for housing choice vouchers and housing leads that turn out to be dead ends because of the shortage of affordable units and landlords willing to accept subsidies.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023
Gently press the frozen peanut butter cups evenly spaced into the dough in 3x4 rows (so that when cut into squares, there will be a peanut butter cup in the center of each blondie).
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
Multiple plantings should be spaced 6 to 7 feet apart.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
Snacking can help fulfill protein needs, especially if meals are spaced far apart.
—Colleen De Bellefonds, Women's Health, 30 Aug. 2023
At 20 feet long, the 100-light string features bulbs that are spaced 2.2 inches apart, with an 18-inch lead from the male plug and a 6-inch tail before the female plug.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2023
Ensure good air movement by plant spacing and pruning practices.
—oregonlive, 29 July 2023
Boothe talks of a potential solution whereby three ambulance stations would be spaced across Pickens County and Lamar County, on its northern border.
—Taylor Sisk, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2023
Tie each piece to the rubber band, spacing them equally apart.
—Rachelle Doorley, Parents, 16 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
The expansion of the city has restricted individual groups of monkeys to small patches that are surrounded by noisy urban spaces.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
This will come down to your preference and what your outdoor space can accommodate.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
The current record for most consecutive days spent in space overall, with 437, belongs to Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Or add mirrors, which is an especially useful hack for making small spaces look larger.
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 21 Sep. 2023
When completed, the lot will have 29 stages and 1.78 million square feet of production space.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
The space also showcases finishes and furnishings of superyacht caliber.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2023
Plants and pets: Your furry friends and greenery add more life to your spaces.
—Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
Once people do find shelter space, the path out of homelessness can be arduous, with long wait times for housing choice vouchers and housing leads that turn out to be dead ends because of the shortage of affordable units and landlords willing to accept subsidies.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
Verb
Richardson finished 24 of 37 for 223 yards, one touchdown and one interception against a Jaguars secondary that lived in zone in order to maintain spacing and keep eyes on Richardson as a scrambler.
—Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023
Gently press the frozen peanut butter cups evenly spaced into the dough in 3x4 rows (so that when cut into squares, there will be a peanut butter cup in the center of each blondie).
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
Multiple plantings should be spaced 6 to 7 feet apart.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
Snacking can help fulfill protein needs, especially if meals are spaced far apart.
—Colleen De Bellefonds, Women's Health, 30 Aug. 2023
At 20 feet long, the 100-light string features bulbs that are spaced 2.2 inches apart, with an 18-inch lead from the male plug and a 6-inch tail before the female plug.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2023
Ensure good air movement by plant spacing and pruning practices.
—oregonlive, 29 July 2023
Boothe talks of a potential solution whereby three ambulance stations would be spaced across Pickens County and Lamar County, on its northern border.
—Taylor Sisk, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2023
Tie each piece to the rubber band, spacing them equally apart.
—Rachelle Doorley, Parents, 16 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'space.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French espace, space, from Latin spatium area, room, interval of space or time
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of space was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing space
Dictionary Entries Near space
Cite this Entry
“Space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
space
1 of 2 noun1
: a period of time
2
3
: the limitless three-dimensional extent in which all things exist and move
4
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere
5
: a blank area separating words or lines
6
: an available seat on a public vehicle
space
2 of 2 verb
spaced; spacing
: to place with space between
space out the chairs one foot apart
Medical Definition
space
noun1
: a period of time
also
: its duration
2
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions
3
: a particular area or cavity within the body
More from Merriam-Webster on space
Nglish: Translation of space for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of space for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share