What does "length" mean?

1. (physical measurement) the distance from one end of something to the other. 2. (duration of time) the amount of time that something lasts. 3. (a piece of material) a piece of something long, like rope, wood, or cloth. 4. (swimming pool distance) the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other. 5. (racing distance) the distance equal to the length of a horse or boat in a race.

length

US //ˈɫɛŋkθ// UK //lˈɛŋθ// length

1 physical measurement (n.)
A2 Elementary Math

the distance from one end of something to the other.

the measurement of the longest dimension of an object or the distance between two points.

Example

The length of the table is two metres, so it should fit in the kitchen.

Example

The architect carefully calculated the length of the structural beams to ensure they could span the entire width of the hall without central support.
- width
- height
2 duration of time (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the amount of time that something lasts.

the duration or period of time occupied by an event or state.

Example

The length of the movie was three hours, which felt a bit too long.

Example

The total length of the internship is six months, providing students with sufficient time to gain meaningful professional experience.

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3 a piece of material (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a piece of something long, like rope, wood, or cloth.

a specific piece or section of a material that is typically sold or measured by its long dimension.

Example

He cut a short length of rope to tie the gate shut.

Example

The plumber replaced a damaged length of copper piping that had begun to leak behind the bathroom wall.
4 swimming pool distance (n.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other.

the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other, used as a unit of measurement for exercise.

Example

She swims twenty lengths every morning before she goes to work.

Example

After completing fifty lengths of the Olympic-sized pool, the athlete focused on improving his turn technique for the upcoming competition.
- lap
5 racing distance (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

the distance equal to the length of a horse or boat in a race.

a unit of measurement in racing equivalent to the length of the animal or vehicle being raced.

Example

The horse won the race by two lengths in a very exciting finish.

Example

Despite a slow start, the rowing crew managed to pull ahead and win the regatta by a clear length.

Origin

From Middle English lengthe, from Old English lengþ, lengþu, from Proto-West Germanic langiþu, from Proto-Germanic langiþō, equivalent to long + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Cognate with Scots lenth, lainth (“length”), Saterland Frisian Loangte (“length”), West Frisian lingte, langte (“length”), Dutch lengte (“length”), German Low German Längde, Längd, Längte, Längt (“length”), Danish længde (“length”), Swedish längd (“length”), Icelandic lengd (“length”).

Idioms3 entries