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.

to leave behind at a distance, as at a race; surpass.

to place at a distance.

to cause to appear distant. ?

go the distance

(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.

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.

noun

affection , friendliness , sympathy , warmth

verb

associate , be friendly , go to

noun

absence , ambit , amplitude , area , bit , breadth , compass , country mile * , expanse , extension , extent , farness , far piece , gap , good ways , heavens , hinterland , horizon , lapse , length , objective , orbit , outpost , outskirts , provinces , purlieu , purview , radius , reach , remoteness , remove , scope , separation , size , sky , space , span , spread , stretch , sweep , way , width , coldness , coolness , frigidity , reserve , restraint , stiffness , expansion , aloofness , alienation. associatedwords: longimetry , ceremoniousness , fastness , interval , intervening space , latitude , longitude , odograph , odometer , perambulator , ultima , unfriendliness

verb

break away from the pack , outdo , outpace , outrun , outstrip , pass , put in proportion , separate oneself , aloofness , coldness , degree , depth , difference , disagreement , dissociate , extent , farness , horizon , interval , latitude , length , longitude , mileage , period , radius , range , remoteness , space , span , surpass , yardage