plural lengths
ˈleŋ(k)ths 
ˈlen(t)ths,
ˈleŋ(k)s
1
a
: the longer or longest dimension of an object
b
: a measured distance or dimension
10 feet in length
see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table
c
: the quality or state of being long
the length of the journey
2
a
: duration or extent in time
b
: relative duration or stress of a sound (such as a vowel or syllable in prose or a note in music)
3
a
: distance or extent in space
a street with its length of colonial houses
b
: the length of something taken as a unit of measure
his horse led by a length
4
: the degree to which something (such as a course of action or a line of thought) is carried
—often used in plural
went to great lengths to learn the truth
5
a
: a long expanse or stretch
her lengths of lustrous hair
b
: a piece constituting or usable as part of a whole or of a connected series : section
a length of pipe
6
: the longer or vertical dimension of a piece of clothing
—often used in combination
elbow-length sleeves
Synonyms
Examples of length in a Sentence
The length of the table is six feet, and its width is three feet.
These pins are available in one- and two-inch lengths.
The adult animals reach a maximum length of two meters.
Your essay should be no more than 250 words in length.
the length of a movie
They were two car lengths behind us.
Recent Examples on the Web
If security is not guaranteed, many warn, the front-line communities will whither, and the rest of the country — 260 miles in length and 70 miles at its widest point, roughly the size of New Jersey — will be in the crosshairs.
—
William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
But, in early 2024, Gibbons was granted permission to clear the seaweed, revealing two parallel ramparts, each spanning more than 600 feet in length, and one faced with large limestone blocks.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Only a very few of these Brobdingnagian convertibles—featuring a 21-foot length, a 12.7-liter straight-eight engine, and 24-inch wheels—were produced in the 1920s and 1930s.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
The San Andreas fault of movie fame couldn't produce a quake larger than about 8.3 given its length, according to USGS.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
To find the maximum size, add the height, length, and depth of the bag together.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Their jaw extends beyond the eye and largemouth are usually bigger in both length and weight.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
Some physicists and philosophers have taken this line of thinking to extreme lengths, arguing for a sort of quantum immortality.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
The larger ground floor stretched almost 140 feet in length and 55 feet in width.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
But, in early 2024, Gibbons was granted permission to clear the seaweed, revealing two parallel ramparts, each spanning more than 600 feet in length, and one faced with large limestone blocks.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Only a very few of these Brobdingnagian convertibles—featuring a 21-foot length, a 12.7-liter straight-eight engine, and 24-inch wheels—were produced in the 1920s and 1930s.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
The San Andreas fault of movie fame couldn't produce a quake larger than about 8.3 given its length, according to USGS.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
To find the maximum size, add the height, length, and depth of the bag together.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Their jaw extends beyond the eye and largemouth are usually bigger in both length and weight.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
Some physicists and philosophers have taken this line of thinking to extreme lengths, arguing for a sort of quantum immortality.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
The larger ground floor stretched almost 140 feet in length and 55 feet in width.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'length.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English lengthe, from Old English lengthu, from lang long
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of length was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing length
Dictionary Entries Near length
Cite this Entry
“Length.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/length. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
1
a
: the measured distance from one end to the other of the longer or longest side of an object
also
: any measured distance
b
: the quality or state of being long
2
a
: the amount of time something takes
the length of a visit
b
: the sound of a vowel or syllable as it is affected by the time needed to pronounce it
3
: a piece of something long
a length of pipe
4
: the distance from top to bottom of an article of clothing
More from Merriam-Webster on length
Nglish: Translation of length for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of length for Arabic Speakers
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