range

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a(1)
: a series of things in a line : row
(2)
: a series of mountains
(3)
: one of the north-south rows of townships in a U.S. public-land survey that are numbered east and west from the principal meridian of the survey
b
: an aggregate of individuals in one order
c
: a direction line
2
: a cooking stove that has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements
3
a
: a place that may be ranged over
b
: an open region over which animals (such as livestock) may roam and feed
c
: the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs
4
: the act of ranging about
5
a(1)
: the horizontal distance to which a projectile can be propelled
(2)
: the horizontal distance between a weapon and target
b
: the maximum distance a vehicle or craft can travel without refueling
c(1)
: a place where shooting is practiced
6
a
: the space or extent included, covered, or used : scope
b
: the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within the capacity of a voice or instrument
7
a
: a sequence, series, or scale between limits
a wide range of patterns
b
: the limits of a series : the distance or extent between possible extremes
c
: the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution
8
a
: the set of values a function may take on
b
: the class of admissible values of a variable
9

range

2 of 2

verb

ranged; ranging

transitive verb

1
a
: to set in a row or in the proper order
b
: to place among others in a position or situation
c
: to assign to a category : classify
2
a
: to rove over or through
b
: to sail or pass along
3
: to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck
4
: to graze (livestock) on a range

intransitive verb

1
a
: to roam at large or freely
b
: to move over an area so as to explore it
2
: to take a position
3
a
: to correspond in direction or line : align
b
: to extend in a particular direction
4
: to have range
5
: to change or differ within limits
6
of an organism : to live or occur in or be native to a region
Choose the Right Synonym for range

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control).

range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of range in a Sentence

Noun knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze didn't know she had such a wide range of knowledge until I talked to her Verb The selection of food ranged from mild to very spicy. Items on the menu range from American fare like hamburgers and hot dogs to Italian pasta dishes. Grizzly bears range over a much smaller area than they once did. The plant once ranged across the island.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Sea Lions went 4-for-12 from 3-point range in the first half and shot one free throw (Barnes made it) while turning it over seven times, miscues the visitors turned into nine points. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Take a look at these fun, breezy dresses available in a wide range of sizes, with prices as low as $30. Rachel Simon, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2024 Devin Vassell had 30 points, five rebounds and nine assists for the Spurs (13-50), who shot 51.1% from the field and 47.1% from 3-point range while going 21 of 21 at the free-throw line. Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 But the limitations placed on Black actresses over the course of Academy Awards history come into particularly sharp relief when compared to the range of roles portrayed by Black men who’ve won acting Oscars. Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The entertainment and sports agency’s digital media arm supports traditional celebrities and next-generation storytellers in gaming, lifestyle and beauty and fashion across a range of social media and business platforms. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 There are far more women on the waves than there were fifteen years ago, some of whom might have been inspired by a wider range of surf content that has made the activity seem more inclusive and accessible than the old procession of bleach-blond dudes in Bali. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 Prosperity 1 affords a range of 155 miles, a 125 mph speed, and capacity for four passengers plus pilot. Dan Sloat, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2024 Topline Walmart shares gained Monday following a rare stock split, a move designed to attract a wider range of investors as the retail behemoth storms toward its highest-ever valuation. Derek Saul, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
Though Crystal didn’t spell it all the way out, history shows that those grudges can range from the professional (Netflix versus the traditional studios) to the personal (actors making seemingly passive-aggressive comments about one another), stemming from the competitive nature of the awards. Fran Hoepfner, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2024 Low temperatures may range from mid-30s to low 40s. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 These books range from the literary to the historical to the plain weird. Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The bar’s staff ranges from a daffy bartender (B.K. Cannon) to an apprentice bouncer (Lukas Gage). David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 The science projects ranged from whether humans can recognize text written by an artificial intelligence chatbot to seeing if the most expensive golf balls roll farther than cheaper ones. Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2024 Developer Garland Ellis advertised the lots to Fort Worth’s Black community in September 1944 with prices ranging from $175 to $300, which is roughly $3,000 to $5,000 today. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 While the origins of daylight saving time are disputed — ranging from an essay authored by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 to a pamphlet written by British builder William Willet in 1907— the time change itself is standardized. S. Dev, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 There are drawers full of clutches, crossbody and tote bags, and lines of shoes that range from sneakers to over-the-knee heeled boots. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'range.' 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

Noun

Middle English, row of persons, from Anglo-French range, renge, from renger to range

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French renger, from renc, reng line, place, row — more at rank entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of range was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near range

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/range. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

range

1 of 2 noun
1
: a series of things in a line
a range of mountains
2
: a cooking stove
3
a
: open land over which livestock may roam and feed
b
: the place where a certain kind of animal or plant naturally lives
4
: the act of ranging about
5
a
: the maximum distance a weapon can shoot, a missile can travel, or a vehicle can go without refueling
b
: the distance between a weapon and its target
c
: a place where shooting is practiced
a rifle range
6
a
: the distance or amount included or gone over : scope
the range of one's knowledge
b
: the extent of pitch covered by a voice or instrument or a melody
7
a
: a sequence, series, or scale between limits
out of our price range
a wide range of colors
b
: the difference between the least and greatest of a set of values

range

2 of 2 verb
ranged; ranging
1
a
: to set in a row or in proper order
b
: to set in place among others of the same kind
2
: to roam freely
3
: to vary within limits
the temperature ranged from 50° to 90°

Medical Definition

range

1 of 2 noun
often attributive
1
: the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs
2
: the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution

range

2 of 2 intransitive verb
ranged; ranging
1
: to change or differ within limits
symptoms range in severity from mild to severe
2
of an organism : to live or occur in or be native to a region

More from Merriam-Webster on range

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