distance

1 of 3

noun

dis·​tance ˈdi-stən(t)s How to pronounce distance (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being distant: such as
a
: spatial remoteness
quite a distance between the two hospitals
b
: personal and especially emotional separation
feels a distance from her brother that wasn't there before
also : reserve, coldness
c
: difference, disparity
the distance between the two philosophies
2
a(1)
mathematics : an extent of area or an advance (see advance entry 2 sense 1) along a route measured in a straight line
measure the distance between point A and point B
the distance between the Earth and the Sun
(2)
: an extent of space measured other than linearly
within walking distance
b
: separation (see separation sense 2b) in time
spanning the distance of several centuries
c(1)
: length of a race or contest
won both the 400 meter and the 800 meter distances
(2)
: the full length (as of a prizefight or ball game)
(3)
: a long race
distance training
d
: an extent of advance from a beginning
they carried Puritan severity quite a distanceJohn Gould
e
: expanse
A distance of field, woods, and diluted November sky …Elizabeth Bowen
f
mathematics : the degree or amount of separation between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
3
: a distant point or region
gazed out into the distance
4
a
: capacity to observe dispassionately
b
fine arts : aesthetic distance
5
obsolete : discord

distance

2 of 3

verb

distanced; distancing

transitive verb

1
: to make or maintain a personal or emotional separation from : to place or keep at a distance
able to distance themselves from the tragedy
distances herself from her coworkers
2
: to leave far behind : outstrip
easily distanced the other candidates in the race

distance

3 of 3

adjective

: taking place via electronic media linking instructors and students who are not together in a classroom
distance learning
distance education
Phrases
go the distance or less commonly last the distance
: to complete a course of action

Examples of distance in a Sentence

Noun What is the distance between the Earth and the Sun? The gas station is a short distance away. Speed is measured in time and distance. She kept the children a safe distance from the road. The sign was hard to read from a distance. We followed them at a distance. She feels a distance from her brother that wasn't there before. Although they were once good friends, there was now considerable distance between them. He wants to put distance between himself and his former boss.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This was astounding; just one AU is the distance of the Earth from the Sun, which is about 93 million miles. James Wray, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 Jim Jarmusch’s deeply romantic, deeply melancholy Only Lovers Left Alive stars Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as a vampiric couple who are currently living on different continents, because what’s a little bit of distance when time doesn’t have meaning. James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
However, the antivirus provider is also distancing itself from the breach. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 18 Oct. 2024 Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Doug Mayer, an American who operates the Run the Alps trail running tour business out of Chamonix, said the PTL is closer to a mountaineering adventure than a typical ultra-distance trail running race. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 24 Aug. 2022 Jornet, a 34-year-old endurance athlete from the Catalan region of Spain is considered by many to be the best ultra-distance runner of his generation. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 15 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for distance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distance.' 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

see distant

Verb

see distant

Adjective

see distant

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near distance

Cite this Entry

“Distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

distance

1 of 3 noun
dis·​tance ˈdis-tən(t)s How to pronounce distance (audio)
1
a
: separation in time
b
: the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
c
: the full length
go the distance
2
: the quality or state of being not friendly : reserve
3
: a distant point or place
a light seen in the distance

distance

2 of 3 verb
distanced; distancing
1
: to make or keep an emotional separation from
2
: to leave far behind

distance

3 of 3 adjective
: taking place using electronic media that links instructors and students who are not together in a classroom
distance learning

More from Merriam-Webster on distance

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