1 [C,U] the amount of space between two places or things:
a short / long distance * the distance of the earth from the sun * a distance of 200 kilometres * What's the distance between New York City and Boston / from New York City to Boston? * In the US, distance is measured in miles. * The beach is within walking distance of my house (= you can walk there easily). * Paul has to drive very long distances as part of his job. * Our parents live some distance away (= quite far away).
seealsoLONG-DISTANCE, MIDDLEDISTANCE, OUTDISTANCE
2 [U] being far away in space or in time:
Distance is no problem on the Internet.
3 [sing.] a point that is a particular amount of space away from sth else:
You'll never get the ball in from that distance.
4 [U,C] a situation in which there is a lack of friendly feelings or of a close relationship between two people or groups of people:
There was a growing distance between the two sides of the family. * The coldness and distance in her voice took me by surprise.
IDIOMS
at / from a distance from a place or time that is not near; from far away:
She had loved him at a distance for years.
go the (full) distance to continue playing in a competition or sports contest until the end:
Nobody thought he would last 15 rounds but he went the full distance.
in / into the distance far away but still able to be seen or heard:
We saw lights in the distance. * Alice stood staring into the distance. * Five miles of sand stretched away into the distance.
keep sb at a distance to refuse to be friendly with sb; to not let sb be friendly towards you:
The manager prefers to keep employees at a distance.
keep your distance (from sb/sth)
1 to make sure you are not too near sb/sth
2 to avoid getting too friendly or involved with a person, group, etc:
She was warned to keep her distance from Charles if she didn't want to get hurt.
moreatSHOUTING, SPITv., STRIKEv.
verb [VN] ~ yourself sb/sth (from sb/sth) to become less involved or connected with sb/sth:
When he retired, he tried to distance himself from politics. * It's not always easy for nurses to distance themselves emotionally.
