Definitions for distance
ˈdɪs tənsdis·tance

Princeton's WordNet(3.88 / 8 votes)Rate this definition:

1. distancenoun

   the property created by the space between two objects or points

2. distancenoun

   a distant region

   "I could see it in the distance"

3. distance, lengthnoun

   size of the gap between two places

   "the distance from New York to Chicago"; "he determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points"

4. distance, aloofnessnoun

   indifference by personal withdrawal

   "emotional distance"

5. distance, spacenoun

   the interval between two times

   "the distance from birth to death"; "it all happened in the space of 10 minutes"

6. distanceverb

   a remote point in time

   "if that happens it will be at some distance in the future"; "at a distance of ten years he had forgotten many of the details"

7. distanceverb

   keep at a distance

   "we have to distance ourselves from these events in order to continue living"

8. outdistance, outstrip, distanceverb

   go far ahead of

   "He outdistanced the other runners"

Wiktionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. distancenoun

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

2. distancenoun

   The entire amount of space to the objective.

   He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance.

3. distancenoun

   A considerable amount of space.

   The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.

4. distanceverb

   To move away (from) someone or something.

   He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues.

5. distanceverb

   To leave at a distance; to outpace, leave behind.

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Distancenoun

   the space between two objects; the length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate; measure of separation in place

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

2. Distancenoun

   remoteness of place; a remote place

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

3. Distancenoun

   a space marked out in the last part of a race course

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

4. Distancenoun

   relative space, between troops in ranks, measured from front to rear; -- contrasted with interval, which is measured from right to left

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

5. Distancenoun

   space between two antagonists in fencing

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

6. Distancenoun

   the part of a picture which contains the representation of those objects which are the farthest away, esp. in a landscape

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

7. Distancenoun

   ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

8. Distancenoun

   length or interval of time; period, past or future, between two eras or events

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

9. Distancenoun

   the remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness

   Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

10. Distancenoun

    a withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness; disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve

    Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

11. Distancenoun

    remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance between a descendant and his ancestor

    Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

12. Distancenoun

    the interval between two notes; as, the distance of a fourth or seventh

    Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

13. Distanceverb

    to place at a distance or remotely

    Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

14. Distanceverb

    to cause to appear as if at a distance; to make seem remote

    Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

15. Distanceverb

    to outstrip by as much as a distance (see Distance, n., 3); to leave far behind; to surpass greatly

    Etymology: [F. distance, L. distantia.]

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Distance

   Distance is a numerical description of how far apart objects are. In physics or everyday discussion, distance may refer to a physical length, or an estimation based on other criteria. In mathematics, a distance function or metric is a generalization of the concept of physical distance. A metric is a function that behaves according to a specific set of rules, and is a concrete way of describing what it means for elements of some space to be "close to" or "far away from" each other. In most cases, "distance from A to B" is interchangeable with "distance between B and A".

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Distance

   dis′tans, n. a space or interval between: remoteness: opposition: reserve of manner: in horse-racing, the space measured back from the winning-post which a horse, in heat-races, must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in the final heat.—v.t. to place at a distance: to leave at a distance behind.—adj. Dis′tanceless, not allowing a distant view—said of hazy weather: having no indications of distance—said of certain pictures.—Keep one at a distance, to treat with reserve; Keep one's distance, to abstain from familiarity with, to keep aloof from. [See Distant.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. distance

   The run which a ship has made upon the log-board. In speaking of double stars, it is the space separating the centres of the two stars, expressed in seconds of arc. (See LUNAR DISTANCES.)

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. distance

   In military formation, signifies the relative space which is left between men standing under arms in rank, or the interval which appears between those ranks.

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. distance

   Song lyrics by distance -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by distance on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Keep
   • Leave Behind
   • Region
   • Size
   • Spacing
   • Time Interval

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'distance' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1591

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'distance' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1751

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'distance' in Nouns Frequency: #621

How to pronounce distance?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say distance in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of distance in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of distance in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of distance in a Sentence

1. Dorothy Parker:

   There's a helluva distance between wisecracking and wit. Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.

2. Lissa Poirot:

   Beyond clean, safe beaches, we're looking for beaches that offer a well-rounded experience for families -- accommodations, dining and entertainment within close distance of the beach, and plenty to keep the whole family entertained while in town.

3. Charles de LEUSSE:

   Binoculars are a distance when near the eyes. Far from home, near the heart, love.

4. Alfred Sommer:

   To most people, especially ophthalmologists, common sense would suggest that there is little harm in simply measuring the vision at a distance during a patient’s routine visit to their primary care physician, nor can one conceive how that might prove harmful.

5. Brad Schoenfeld:

   With sizeable muscles, you're carrying more weight, which would be counterproductive to endurance performance, it would be like running a long distance while carrying a suitcase.

Images & Illustrations of distance

Popularity rank by frequency of use