spacing

noun

spac·​ing ˈspā-siŋ How to pronounce spacing (audio)
1
a
: the act of providing with spaces or placing at intervals
b
: an arrangement in space
2
a
: a limited extent : space
b
: the distance between any two objects in a usually regularly arranged series

Examples of spacing in a Sentence

The spacing between characters should be even. the spacing of the houses was a little tight
Recent Examples on the Web The rows were spaced approximately 50m to 100m apart and along the rows the collar spacings were 70m to 150m. There were four near vertical drill holes and three drill holes with azimuth perpendicular to the pattern that were made to test that there is no drill pattern bias in the results. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024 Los Angeles shot 57% with offensive spacing that allowed drives to the basket and wide-open 3-pointers off kick-out passes. Matthew Coles, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 The Lakers shot 57% with offensive spacing that allowed drives to the basket and wide-open 3-pointers off kick-out passes, extending a recent run of strong offensive showings. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024 Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Minnesota is working on improving its spacing, particularly around the different defensive looks opponents are throwing at Anthony Edwards in an attempt to trip the 22-year-old star guard up. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2024 The better the spacing, the less Booker, Durant and Beal are playing in a crowd, which tends to lead to turnovers. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 In February 2015, there were two snowfalls with similar spacing, but the second one turned to rain and overall amounts were lower. Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2024 Judge Lipman basically agreed and rejected the complaining attorneys’ invitation to forbid 24-point spacing. Derek H. Kiernan-Johnson, The Conversation, 1 Feb. 2024 The spacing is thought to enable it to determine which side a smell is stronger on, allowing the fish to turn toward it. Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 6 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spacing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of spacing was in 1711

Dictionary Entries Near spacing

Cite this Entry

“Spacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spacing. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spacing

noun
spac·​ing
ˈspā-siŋ
1
: an arrangement in space
2
: the distance between any two objects in an arranged series

More from Merriam-Webster on spacing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!