distance🔊

(countable)

(amount of space) An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

# (horse racing) ''Chiefly in'' by a distance: a space of more than 30 lengths (about 80 yards or 7.3 metres) between two racehorses finishing a race, used to describe the margin of victory; also (archaic), any space of 240 yards (about 219.5 metres) on a racecourse.

''Chiefly in'' from a distance: a place which is far away or remote; specifically (painting), a more remote part of a landscape or view as contrasted with the foreground.

''Chiefly with a modifying word'': a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance.

An interval or length of time between events.

(figurative) A separation in some way other than space or time.

(obsolete)

# (t=an extent measured along the longest dimension of an object).

# (figurative) A disagreement, a dispute; also, an estrangement.

# (music) A difference in pitch between sounds; an interval.

(uncountable)

The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

# (boxing)

# (fencing) The amount of space between a fencer and their opponent, which the fencer tries to control in order to gain an advantage over the opponent.

# (horse racing) Originally, the space measured back from the winning post which a racehorse running in a heat must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in a subsequent heat; also, the point on the racecourse that space away from the winning post; now, the point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post.

# (military) The amount of space between soldiers or cavalry riders marching or standing in a rank; also, the amount of space between such ranks.

# (sport) The complete length of a course over which a race is run.

''Chiefly preceded by'' the, especially in'' into ''or'' in the distance: the place that is far away or remote.

The state of being separated from something else, especially by a long way; the state of being far off or remote; farness, remoteness.

(figurative)

# The entire amount of progress to an objective.

# The state of remoteness or separation in some way other than space or time.

# The state of people not being close, friendly, or intimate with each other; also, the state of people who were once close, friendly, or intimate with each other no longer being so; estrangement.

# Excessive reserve or lack of friendliness shown by a person; aloofness, coldness.

(figurative)

# The rank to which an important person belongs.

# The state of disagreement or dispute between people; dissension.

# ''Often followed by'' to ''or'' towards: an attitude of remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, ceremoniousness.

(transitive)

''Often followed by'' from: to set (someone or something) at a distance ''((amount of space))'' from someone or something else.

To cause (a place, a thing, etc.) to seem distant, or (figurative) unfamiliar.

To leave behind (someone or something moving in the same direction; specifically, other competitors in a race) some distance away; to outpace, to outstrip.

(figurative)

# To keep (someone) emotionally or socially apart from another person or people.

# To exceed or surpass (someone, such as a peer or rival); to outdo, to outstrip.

# (reflexive) To keep (oneself) away from someone or something, especially because one does not want to be associated with that person or thing.

(archaic) Of a racehorse: to beat (another horse) by a certain distance; also (passive voice), to cause (a horse) to be disqualified by beating it by a certain distance.

(obsolete)

# To cover the entire distance to (something).

# To depart from (a place); to leave (a place) behind.

# To indicate or measure the distance to (a place).

# To set (two or more things) at regular distances from each other; to space, to space out.

(reflexive) ''Often followed by'' from.

To set oneself at a distance from someone or something else; to move away from someone or something.

(figurative) To keep oneself emotionally or socially apart from another person or people; to keep one's distance.