the extent or amount of space between two things, points, lines, etc.
the state or fact of being apart in space, as of one thing from another; remoteness.
a linear extent of space: Seven miles is a distance too great to walk in an hour.
an expanse; area: A vast distance of water surrounded the ship.
the interval between two points of time; an extent of time: His vacation period was a good distance away.
remoteness or difference in any respect: Our philosophies are a long distance apart.
an amount of progress: We've come a long distance on the project.
a distant point, place, or region.
the distant part of a field of view: a tree in the distance.
absence of warmth; reserve: Their first meeting in several years was hampered by a certain distance between them.
Music. interval (def. 6).
aesthetic distance.
Horse Racing. (in a heat race) the space measured back from the winning post that a horse must reach by the time the winner passes the winning post or be eliminated from subsequent heats.
Mathematics. the greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.
Obsolete. disagreement or dissension; a quarrel.
verb (used with object),dis·tanced,dis·tanc·ing.
to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.
to place at a distance.
to cause to appear distant.
Idioms for distance
go the distance,
(in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
Informal.to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
keep at a distance, to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.
keep one's distance, to avoid becoming familiar or involved; remain cool or aloof.
Origin of distance
1250–1300; Middle English <Latin distantia, equivalent to distant- (see distant) + -ia-y3; replacing Middle English destaunce<Anglo-French
Clark said masks were optional, as long as six feet of distance was kept, and temperatures were checked.
School Sports Became ‘Clubs’ Amid the Pandemic – Now Two Coaches Are Out|Ashly McGlone|September 17, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Fortunately, sound waves can travel great distances through the ocean, thanks to a curious phenomenon known as the SOFAR Channel, short for Sound Fixing and Ranging.
They connected the two electron charges with one “effective” charge that varied with distance.
How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics|Charlie Wood|September 17, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Richard Barrera, a San Diego Unified trustee, suggested during a town hall that it was actually a silver lining of distance learning that students at Lincoln and elsewhere would have increased access to AP classes.
Morning Report: Lincoln Abruptly Canceled AP Class|Voice of San Diego|September 17, 2020|Voice of San Diego
It was here that my girlfriend and I decided we’d go for our first drink after quarantine — mostly because of it being within walking distance and a few Yelp reviews suggesting unusually cheap drinks.
The Last Bar Standing?|Eugene Robinson|September 15, 2020|Ozy
“The level of outside support… has not been sufficient enough for them to distance themselves from al Nusra,” Cafarella said.
ISIS Fight Has a Spy Shortage, Intel Chair Says|Kimberly Dozier|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The younger brother would try everything in his power from a distance to subdue the roaring flames of passion.
Decoding Vincent Van Gogh’s Tempestuous, Fragile Mind|Nick Mafi|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does she need to distance herself from the deregulatory policies of the Bill Clinton years?
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is a disconnect, which allows for some distance between his actions and your button presses.
I Felt Like Showering After the First-Person Sex in ‘Grand Theft Auto’|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Snow-capped mountains emerge gently into view in the distance, covered in pine trees at the highest elevations.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the 19th the pioneer boat, running some distance ahead of the others, was again upset by a wave.
The Romance of the Colorado River|Frederick S. Dellenbaugh
In the distance suddenly the cypress trees became alive with huge flaring torches, which lit the garden like Bengal lights.
Orpheus in Mayfair and Other Stories and Sketches|Maurice Baring
At a distance of about two miles from our camp was the crest of a low swell in the Plains.
Life and Adventures of 'Billy' Dixon|Billy Dixon
She found herself wondering how it could have succeeded in coming that distance.
The Trail to Yesterday|Charles Alden Seltzer
On other occasions when he wanted them to keep their distance, he found mere growling to have the desired effect.
"Over There" with the Australians|R. Hugh Knyvett
British Dictionary definitions for distance
distance
/ (ˈdɪstəns) /
noun
the intervening space between two points or things
the length of this gap
the state of being apart in space; remoteness
an interval between two points in time
the extent of progress; advance
a distant place or timehe lives at a distance from his work
a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity
geometry
the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
the length along a straight line or curve
the distancethe most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
horse racing
Britisha point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post
Britishany interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race
USthe part of a racecourse that a horse must reach in any heat before the winner passes the finishing line in order to qualify for later heats
go the distance
boxingto complete a bout without being knocked out
to be able to complete an assigned task or responsibility
keep one's distanceto maintain a proper or discreet reserve in respect of another person
the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape
middle distance
(in a picture) halfway between the foreground and the horizon
(in a natural situation) halfway between the observer and the horizon
(modifier)athleticsrelating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a milea distance runner
verb(tr)
to hold or place at a distance
to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something