space out
verb
spaced out; spacing out; spaces out
informal
: to become inattentive, distracted, or mentally remote
spaced out halfway through the lecture
Examples of space out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To hedge your bets against both cold spells and hot spells, space out each crop by sowing the seed or setting out transplants in batches over a period of two or three weeks.
—
Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Circular pits, a little more than 3 feet in diameter and spaced out from one another, were arranged in a straight line about 80 feet long, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Scientists have also discovered that the cells in the tongue that sense sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami tastes are spaced out across the tongue; some people are genetically more predisposed to liking sweets than others; and children tend to prefer the taste of sour candies more than adults do.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Pay attention Keep your sound system at a reasonable volume when driving in cities and neighborhoods, and don’t space out or check your text messages at every stoplight.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for space out
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Circular pits, a little more than 3 feet in diameter and spaced out from one another, were arranged in a straight line about 80 feet long, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Scientists have also discovered that the cells in the tongue that sense sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami tastes are spaced out across the tongue; some people are genetically more predisposed to liking sweets than others; and children tend to prefer the taste of sour candies more than adults do.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Pay attention Keep your sound system at a reasonable volume when driving in cities and neighborhoods, and don’t space out or check your text messages at every stoplight.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for space out
Cite this Entry
“Space out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space%20out. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share