length

noun

ˈleŋ(k)th  ˈlen(t)th 

plural lengths ˈleŋ(k)ths 

ˈlen(t)ths,

ˈleŋ(k)s

1

a

: the longer or longest dimension of an object

b

: a measured distance or dimension

10 feet in length

see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table

c

: the quality or state of being long

the length of the journey

2

a

: duration or extent in time

b

: relative duration or stress of a sound (such as a vowel or syllable in prose or a note in music)

3

a

: distance or extent in space

a street with its length of colonial houses

b

: the length of something taken as a unit of measure

his horse led by a length

4

: the degree to which something (such as a course of action or a line of thought) is carried

—often used in plural

went to great lengths to learn the truth

5

a

: a long expanse or stretch

her lengths of lustrous hair

b

: a piece constituting or usable as part of a whole or of a connected series : section

a length of pipe

6

: the longer or vertical dimension of a piece of clothing

—often used in combination

elbow-length sleeves

Phrases

at length

1

: fully, comprehensively

The issue was debated at length.

2

: at last : finally

We at length reached the top of the mountain.

Synonyms

• breadth
• distance
• expanse
• expansion
• extent
• field
• plain
• reach
• sheet
• spread
• stretch
• waste

Examples of length in a Sentence

The length of the table is six feet, and its width is three feet.

These pins are available in one- and two-inch lengths.

The adult animals reach a maximum length of two meters.

Your essay should be no more than 250 words in length.

the length of a movie

They were two car lengths behind us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our conversation, edited for length and clarity, is below. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024

Measuring 10 inches in length, this option is one of the longer choices on our list for a better fit for different hand sizes. —Jack Byram, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024

This interview has been slightly condensed and edited for length and clarity. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2024

Some are approaching 80 feet, a length that seemed impossible just two years ago. —J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024

Thankfully, torso lengths are listed with any reputable backpacking backpack. —Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2024

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. —Josh Cornfield, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

If security is not guaranteed, many warn, the front-line communities will whither, and the rest of the country — 260 miles in length and 70 miles at its widest point, roughly the size of New Jersey — will be in the crosshairs. —William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lengthe, from Old English lengthu, from lang long

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing length

• arm's length
• at any length
• at arm's length
• at length
• cable length
• cut to size/length
• feature-length
• floor-length
• focal length
• for any length of time
• full-length
• go to any length(s)
• half-length
• keep (someone or something) at arm's length
• knee-length
• restriction fragment length polymorphism
• shoulder-length
• the length and breadth of

Kids Definition

length

noun

ˈleŋ(k)th  ˈlen(t)th 

1

a

: the measured distance from one end to the other of the longer or longest side of an object

also : any measured distance

b

: the quality or state of being long

2

a

: the amount of time something takes

the length of a visit

b

: the sound of a vowel or syllable as it is affected by the time needed to pronounce it

3

: a piece of something long

a length of pipe

4

: the distance from top to bottom of an article of clothing