long-distance

1 of 3

adjective

long-dis·​tance ˈlȯŋ-ˈdi-stən(t)s 

1

: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point especially outside a specified area

2

a

: situated a long distance away

b

: going or covering a long distance

long-distance roads

a long-distance runner

c

: conducted or effective over long distance

a long-distance relationship

long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3

adverb

1

: by long-distance telephone

called her long-distance

2

: over or from a long distance

long distance

3 of 3

noun

1

: communication by long-distance telephone

2

: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections

Examples of long-distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There will be the usual holiday rebound traffic but the worst is over, travel experts said, as Thanksgiving Day’s long-distance commuters began their journeys home this weekend. —Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024

Nord employees meet outside of work, whether that’s going to concerts, going long-distance biking, or connecting with fellow car enthusiasts. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 30 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Travelers who take off on months-long, around-the-world cruises enjoy the combination of daily resort-style perks and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences only long-distance cruising can offer. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023

In the East Regional, Michigan State and Kansas State combined for 24 made 3s, both shooting over 45% from long-distance. —Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023

Noun

In one of Sciascia’s stories, a man who regularly travels long distance by train must have reading material. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Dec. 2024

At the time, Harry and Meghan's relationship was a long distance one and had been fairly calm up until the very end of October 2016 when an exclusive in the Sunday Express told the world about their romance for the first time. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Adverb

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

long-distance

1 of 3 adjective

long-dis·​tance

-ˈdis-tən(t)s

1

: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point

2

a

: situated a long distance away

b

: going or covering a long distance

long-distance roads

a long-distance runner

c

: conducted or effective over a long distance

a long-distance relationship

long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3 adverb

: by long-distance telephone

long distance

3 of 3 noun

1

: communication by long-distance telephone

2

: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections