dis•tance/ˈdɪstəns/USA pronunciationn., v.,-tanced, -tanc•ing. n.
the amount of space between two things: [countable]The distance between my school and the house is only one half mile.[uncountable]The train I take to work is within walking distance of our apartment.
the state or fact of being apart in space; remoteness:[uncountable]Distance from the city isn't a factor in our search for a new home.
remoteness or difference in any respect:[uncountable]the insurmountable social distance between classes.
an amount of progress:[countable* usually singular]We've come quite a distance on this project.
a distant place:[uncountable* the + ~]I could just see a tree in the distance.
absence of warmth; coolness: [countable; usually singular]You have to maintain a certain distance toward your students.[uncountable]There was some distance between them at our last meeting.
v.[~ + object]
to leave behind at a distance; surpass:He distanced his nearest competitor by almost one hundred yards.
to cause to appear distant or reserved:[~ + oneself]He distanced himself from his coworkers.
Idioms
Idiomsgo the distance, [no object] to complete something that requires sustained effort:I don't know if we can go the distance on this project.
Idiomskeep (someone) at a distance, to treat (someone) with coolness, lack of warmth, or reserve:careful to keep her students at a distance.
Idiomskeep one's distance, to remain apart and reserved:I kept my distance and never once told her about my love for her.
dis•tance(dis′təns),USA pronunciationn., v.,-tanced, -tanc•ing. n.
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 and Danceinterval (def. 6).
See aesthetic distance.
Sport[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.
Mathematicsthe greatest lower bound of differences between points, one from each of two given sets.
[Obs.]disagreement or dissension; a quarrel.
Idiomsgo the distance:
Sport(in horse racing) to be able to run well in a long race.
[Informal.]to finish or complete something, esp. something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort.
Idiomskeep at a distance, to treat coldly or in an unfriendly manner.
Idiomskeep one's distance, to avoid becoming familiar or involved; remain cool or aloof.
v.t.
to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.
to place at a distance.
to cause to appear distant.
Anglo-French
Latin distantia, equivalent. to distant- (see distant) + -ia -y3; replacing Middle English destaunce
Middle English 1250–1300
dis′tance•less, adj.
10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged remoteness, restraint, coolness, aloofness.