length
(lĕngkth, lĕngth, lĕnth)
[Middle English, from Old English lengthu.]
noun
- The state, quality, or fact of being long. See Usage Note at: strength
- The measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension: the length of the boat.
- A piece, often of a standard size, that is normally measured along its greatest dimension: a length of cloth.
- A measure used as a unit to estimate distances: won the race by a length.
- Extent or distance from beginning to end: the length of a novel; the length of a journey.
- The amount of time between specified moments; the duration: the length of a meeting.
- Extent or degree to which an action or policy is carried. Often used in the plural: went to great lengths to prove his point.
- Linguistics
- The duration of a vowel.
- The duration of a syllable.
- The vertical extent of a garment. Often used in combination: knee-length; floor-length.
idioms
- at length
- After some time; eventually: At length we arrived at our destination. For a considerable time; fully: spoke at length about the court ruling.
