Distance Meaning

UK /ˈdɪstəns/
US /ˈdɪstəns/
Word Definition
distance meaning

Distance Definition & Usage

noun

The amount of space between two points or objects, often measured in units like meters, miles, or kilometers.

Examples

  • "The distance from New York to Los Angeles is about 2,450 miles."
  • "I could see the mountains in the distance, their peaks covered in snow."
  • "How much distance is there between the two cities?"
  • "The car broke down after we had driven only a short distance."
  • "The race track was long, with a total distance of 5 kilometers."
noun

A period of time that separates events or the feeling of emotional separation between people.

Examples

  • "After years of distance, they finally reconnected."
  • "She kept her emotional distance from everyone at the party."
  • "The time distance between the two appointments was just enough to grab a coffee."
  • "He has been keeping his distance ever since the argument."
  • "The emotional distance between them grew after the divorce."
verb

To keep or make a certain space or separation between two people, places, or objects.

Examples

  • "They decided to distance themselves from the company after the scandal."
  • "She distanced herself from the group after the conflict."
  • "The new policy distances the company from past mistakes."
  • "In order to focus better, I had to distance myself from distractions."
  • "He distanced his views from the controversial proposal."

Cultural Context

The concept of 'distance' has been central to human existence, both in terms of physical movement and emotional or social relationships. In ancient times, distance often had a literal meaning tied to travel, exploration, and survival. Over time, it expanded to include metaphorical uses in philosophy, literature, and modern communication.

The Long Road Home

Story

The Long Road Home

It had been five years since Sophie had last spoken to her brother, Alex. The emotional distance between them grew wider each year, a rift created by a misunderstanding neither had the courage to mend. Sophie often thought about the time they had spent together as children, but now, there was a vast gap between them—one that seemed too wide to cross. Yet, when Sophie received a letter from Alex, she felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. He wanted to reconnect, to close the distance that had defined their lives for so long. The letter was simple, filled with apologies and a request to meet. Sophie hesitated for days, unsure whether the emotional distance between them was something that could ever be bridged. Finally, she decided to take the first step. She drove for hours, passing through towns she hadn't visited in years. The physical distance between their homes was long, but the real journey was internal. When Sophie arrived at Alex's house, she found herself standing at the doorstep, unsure of what to expect. Alex opened the door, and the moment their eyes met, Sophie knew that the time distance between them had finally closed. They sat together, speaking for hours about the years lost. The distance between them, once so wide, began to shrink with every word spoken. It was a reunion neither had expected, but one that felt long overdue. The distance between them was no longer measured in miles or years, but in the shared experiences they would build together from that day onward.

The Long Road Home