distances

noun

(countable) An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

(countable) Chiefly in from a distance: a place which is far away or remote; specifically (especially painting), a more remote part of a landscape or view as contrasted with the foreground.

(countable) Chiefly with a modifying word: a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance.

(countable) An interval or length of time between events.

(countable) (figurative) A separation in some way other than space or time.

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

(uncountable) (boxing) The maximum amount of space between a boxer and their opponent within which the boxer can punch effectively.

(uncountable) (boxing) Often in go the distance, last the distance, or stay the distance: the scheduled duration of a bout.

(uncountable) (fencing) The amount of space between a fencer and their opponent, which the fencer tries to control in order to gain an advantage over the opponent.

(uncountable) (horse racing) Originally, the space measured back from the winning post which a racehorse running in a heat must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in a subsequent heat; also, the point on the racecourse that space away from the winning post; now, the point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post.

(uncountable) (military) The amount of space between soldiers or cavalry riders marching or standing in a rank; also, the amount of space between such ranks.

(uncountable) (sports) The complete length of a course over which a race is run.

(uncountable) Chiefly preceded by the, especially in into or in the distance: the place that is far away or remote.

(uncountable) The state of being separated from something else, especially by a long way; the state of being far off or remote; farness, remoteness.

(uncountable) (figurative) The entire amount of progress to an objective.

(uncountable) (figurative) The state of remoteness or separation in some way other than space or time.

(uncountable) (figurative) The state of people not being close, friendly, or intimate with each other; also, the state of people who were once close, friendly, or intimate with each other no longer being so; estrangement.

(uncountable) (figurative) Excessive reserve or lack of friendliness shown by a person; aloofness, coldness.

(countable) (horse racing) Chiefly in by a distance: a space of more than 30 lengths (about 80 yards or 7.3 metres) between two racehorses finishing a race, used to describe the margin of victory; also (archaic), any space of 240 yards (about 219.5 metres) on a racecourse.

(countable) (obsolete) Synonym of length (“an extent measured along the longest dimension of an object”).

(countable) (obsolete) (figurative) A disagreement, a dispute; also, an estrangement.

(countable) (obsolete) (music) A difference in pitch between sounds; an interval.

(uncountable) (obsolete, figurative) The rank to which an important person belongs.

(uncountable) (obsolete, figurative) The state of disagreement or dispute between people; dissension.

(uncountable) (obsolete, figurative) Often followed by to or towards: an attitude of remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, ceremoniousness.

verb

(transitive) Often followed by from: to set (someone or something) at a distance (noun noun, sense 1.1) from someone or something else.

(transitive) To cause (a place, a thing, etc.) to seem distant, or (figurative) unfamiliar.

(transitive) To leave behind (someone or something moving in the same direction; specifically, other competitors in a race) some distance away; to outpace, to outstrip.

(transitive) (figurative) To keep (someone) emotionally or socially apart from another person or people.

(transitive) (figurative) To exceed or surpass (someone, such as a peer or rival); to outdo, to outstrip.

(transitive) (figurative) (reflexive) To keep (oneself) away from someone or something, especially because one does not want to be associated with that person or thing.

(intransitive, reflexive) Often followed by from.

To set oneself at a distance from someone or something else; to move away from someone or something.

(figurative) To keep oneself emotionally or socially apart from another person or people; to keep one's distance.

(transitive) (chiefly US, horse racing, archaic) Of a racehorse: to beat (another horse) by a certain distance; also (passive voice), to cause (a horse) to be disqualified by beating it by a certain distance.

(transitive) (obsolete) To cover the entire distance to (something).

(transitive) (obsolete) To depart from (a place); to leave (a place) behind.

(transitive) (obsolete) To indicate or measure the distance to (a place).

(transitive) (obsolete) To set (two or more things) at regular distances from each other; to space, to space out.

Roots

stosta- · Latin · stand

Synonyms & related words for distances

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Words related to distances

Explore words related to distances — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include length, distanced, distancing, yardage, outdistance, equidistance, miles, aloofness. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does distances come from?

The word distances breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root sta-, from Latin sto (“stand”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.