distance

1 noun (C, U)

1 HOW FAR the amount of space between two places or things: short/long distance: Sylvia could only run a short distance without getting out of breath.

(+ from): What's the distance from Chicago to Detroit? | at a distance of 5 metres/2 miles etc (=5 metres etc away): Place the rod at a distance of 40mm from the light source. | some distance from/a good distance away from (=a fairly long distance from): Gareth's cottage is some distance from the road.

2 in the distance in a place that is far away, but close enough to be seen or heard: That's Long Island in the distance over there.

3 at/from a distance

a) from a place that is not very close: follow sb from a distance (=follow them by walking a long way behing them): The detective followed him at a distance.

b) a long time after something happened: It's difficult to remember exactly what they looked like at this distance in time.

4 within walking/driving distance near enough to walk or drive to

(+ of): There are two good Chinese restaurants within walking distance of my house.

5 within spitting distance of informal very near

6 keep your distance

a) to avoid becoming too friendly with someone or too closely involved in something

b) to not go too close to someone or to another car

7 keep sb at a distance to not become too friendly with someone: Ann likes to keep people at a distance.

8 UNFRIENDLY FEELING a situation in which two people do not tell each other what they really think or feel, in a way that seems unfriendly

(+ between): There was still a certain distance between me and my father.

9 go the distance informal if you go the distance in a sport or competition, you continue playing or competing until the end

—see also: long­distance, middle distance 2 verb distance yourself to say that you are not involved with someone or something, or try to become less involved, especially to avoid being connected with them: The Soviet Union distanced itself from the US position.