remoter; remotest
1
: separated by an interval or space greater than usual
an involucre remote from the flower
2
3
: out-of-the-way, secluded
a remote cabin in the hills
4
: being, relating to, or involving a means of doing or using something indirectly or from a distance: such as
a
: using or involving a network connection between computers or systems in different locations
a remote workforce
remote learning
files stored on remote servers
Just think about if an employee has an issue with their laptop—you'll need a remote desktop tool to take control of their machine to try and diagnose the issue.—
Lisa Ardill
Lisa Ardill
b
: being or relating to a means of collecting data about something (such as an object or an area) from a distance (as by using radar or photography)
Using remote cameras, researchers got photos of 18 ocelots over an eight-year period.—Tony Davis
Tony DavisUsing up to three remote sensors, the unit gives you indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity.—Cliff Gromer
Cliff GromerSatellite remote sensing offers a step change in our ability to map and monitor the extent of Antarctica's terrestrial biosphere.—Andrew Gray et al.
see also remote access, remote control, remote controlled
Andrew Gray et al.5
: not arising from a primary or proximate action
6
: small in degree : slight
a remote possibility
hadn't the remotest idea of what was going on
7
: distant in manner : aloof
remoteness
noun
1
: a radio or television program or a portion of a program originating outside the studio
Synonyms
Examples of remote in a Sentence
Adjective
She enjoys reading about remote lands.
The mission is to transport medical supplies to remote areas of the globe.
a tradition that dates back to remote antiquity
an invention that may be available in the remote future
There is a remote possibility that I'll be free Friday night.
Recent Examples on the WebEbony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
David is recruited by the Vatican’s secret service to ‘remote view’ a paranormal ability to see the unseen in order to detect evil.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
The trail opened up a broad stretch of hills to backpacking – and allowed for a true remote experience.
—Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
The midday gray blackening, then brightening, on account of a remote and veiled disk of sun and moon.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Four of them were hiking in Taroko Gorge, four died on mountainous highways, and another was working at a remote quarry, according to authorities.
—Wayne Chang, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
While that may have shifted as more fathers choose remote work, not many are deciding to become stay-at-home dads.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
The Samuel Goldwyn Films release casts Neeson, who will be 72 in June, as Finbar Murphy, a man leading a relatively quiet life in the remote coastal town of Glencolmcille, Ireland, in the 1970s.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024
Maryland education leaders said the pandemic contributed to the slight decline in the overall graduation rate, noting students in the Class of 2023 were in the ninth grade when schools switched to remote learning in March 2020.
—Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024
They can be powered with AAA batteries or an AC adaptor and come with an electronic remote.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
One particularly nice touch is the powered focus, controlled through the remote.
—PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024
In addition to the eye-catching colors, these baby-safe keys have a realistic design and a functional remote that emits car sounds and turns on a flashlight.
—Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024
It is solely powered by an app, rather than a remote.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Firstly, the company had regularly openly praised the productivity benefits of remote working among its staff.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 24 Feb. 2024
But with a contentious presidential election coming up, lately she’s been reluctant to pick up the remote.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024
The spray works well on toys, remotes, pet items, and even fabric.
—Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2024
Adjective
While some may thrive in a corporate environment, others may find fulfillment in freelancing, entrepreneurship, or remote work.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
David is recruited by the Vatican’s secret service to ‘remote view’ a paranormal ability to see the unseen in order to detect evil.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
The trail opened up a broad stretch of hills to backpacking – and allowed for a true remote experience.
—Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
The midday gray blackening, then brightening, on account of a remote and veiled disk of sun and moon.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Four of them were hiking in Taroko Gorge, four died on mountainous highways, and another was working at a remote quarry, according to authorities.
—Wayne Chang, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
While that may have shifted as more fathers choose remote work, not many are deciding to become stay-at-home dads.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
The Samuel Goldwyn Films release casts Neeson, who will be 72 in June, as Finbar Murphy, a man leading a relatively quiet life in the remote coastal town of Glencolmcille, Ireland, in the 1970s.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024
Maryland education leaders said the pandemic contributed to the slight decline in the overall graduation rate, noting students in the Class of 2023 were in the ninth grade when schools switched to remote learning in March 2020.
—Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Utility bills go down, as does time spent fiddling with the remote trying to get the heater to behave.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024
They can be powered with AAA batteries or an AC adaptor and come with an electronic remote.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
One particularly nice touch is the powered focus, controlled through the remote.
—PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024
In addition to the eye-catching colors, these baby-safe keys have a realistic design and a functional remote that emits car sounds and turns on a flashlight.
—Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024
It is solely powered by an app, rather than a remote.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Firstly, the company had regularly openly praised the productivity benefits of remote working among its staff.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 24 Feb. 2024
But with a contentious presidential election coming up, lately she’s been reluctant to pick up the remote.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024
The spray works well on toys, remotes, pet items, and even fabric.
—Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'remote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near remote
Cite this Entry
“Remote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remote. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
remote
1 of 2 adjective
re·mote
ri-ˈmōt 
remoter; remotest
1
: far removed in place, time, or relation
remote countries
remote ages
remote cousins
2
: secluded sense 1
a remote valley
3
: acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance
remote computer operation
4
: small in degree : slight
a remote possibility
5
: distant in manner : aloof
remotely
adverb
remoteness
noun
remote
2 of 2 nounLegal Definition
remote
adjective
re·mote
remoter; remotest
1
a
: far removed in space, time, or relation
ancestors of a more remote degree
b
: exceeding the time allowed under the rule against perpetuities for the vesting of interests
the residuary clause…violates the rule against remote vesting—Estate of Grove, 70 Cal. App. 3d 355 (1977)
Estate of Grove, 70 Cal. App. 3d 355 (1977)
also
: being in violation of the rule against perpetuities
a remote contingent estate
2
: acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance
3
a
: not proximate or acting directly
b
: not arising from the effect of that which is proximate
4
: small in degree
a remote possibility of paternity
remotely
adverb
remoteness
noun
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