long-distance

1 of 3

adjective

long-dis·​tance ˈlȯŋ-ˈdi-stən(t)s How to pronounce long-distance (audio)
1
: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point especially outside a specified area
2
a
: situated a long distance away
b
: going or covering a long distance
long-distance roads
a long-distance runner
c
: conducted or effective over long distance
a long-distance relationship
long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3

adverb

1
: by long-distance telephone
called her long-distance
2
: over or from a long distance

long distance

3 of 3

noun

1
: communication by long-distance telephone
2
: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections

Examples of long-distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Both short- and long-distance travel would be possible, the researchers write. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 According to the study, pygmy right whales likely forgo long-distance migrations and instead live in the warm waters around Australia year-round. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024 Among these items are the long-distance unmanned aerial vehicles that have struck oil facilities deep inside Russia in recent weeks, as well as the sea drones that have caused severe damage to Russia’s Black Sea fleet and helped reopen sea lanes to Ukrainian grain exports. David L. Stern, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Aimed at long-distance cruising, the 35P can carry over 5,000 gallons of fuel and is powered by twin 2,000 hp MAN V12s for a 24-knot top speed. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2024 The pair were first spotted together in September 2017 and initially had a long-distance relationship. Carly Breit, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 That has left frontline Ukrainian troops vulnerable to long-distance glide bombs dropped from Russian aircraft and intense artillery attacks. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Evan was in some ways destined for a life of long-distance exercise. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Around 80% of all long-distance trains as well as regional and commuter trains in the country were canceled as train drivers went on strike. Kirsten Grieshaber, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Travelers who take off on months-long, around-the-world cruises enjoy the combination of daily resort-style perks and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences only long-distance cruising can offer. Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023 In the East Regional, Michigan State and Kansas State combined for 24 made 3s, both shooting over 45% from long-distance. Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023 There would be no range anxiety because without long-distance pretensions, nobody would attempt to go too far, and no one would be stranded. Neil Winton, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023 Everything becomes a bit more complicated after Kitty moves halfway across the world to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend. Charna Flam, Variety, 23 Mar. 2023 Zane Robertson, a prominent middle- and long-distance runner from New Zealand, has been given an eight-year ban by the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand for doping and meddling with tests. Jason Hahn, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2023 Mackey returned to the race after several years away and was carrying some of the ashes of his late brother — long-distance mushing legend Lance Mackey, who died from cancer last year — along with the ashes of his mother with him on the trail. Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2023 Best Long Distance Gift: Sister Pillow Krifton Long Distance Sister Pillow Krifton Long Distance Sister Pillow $13 at Amazon Dealing with a long-distance sister relationship? Jasmine Gomez, Women's Health, 20 Mar. 2023 His team’s project could transform long-distance space exploration, dramatically expanding the astronomical neighborhood accessible to us. Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2023
Noun
These concerns become more pertinent under the DFR model in which drones travel long distances to incidents, potentially recording along the way. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2024 Running such long distances isn’t anything new; humans have been this way for a while. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 In a testament to the massive frequent flier miles the long distance couple are likely to wrack up over the next year, in November, Kelce flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina to take in one of Swift’s Eras Tour gigs. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Feb. 2024 Harris-Smith missed 4 of 5 shots, including 3 of 4 from long distance. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2024 For many homeless people in Chicago, finding a restroom often requires walking a long distance. arkansasonline.com, 5 Feb. 2024 Statistics have shown that one in three Navajo homes lack access to running water, with 30% to 40% of households needing to haul water from communal wells, often over long distances, to meet basic daily needs. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 By evening, fire crews had been able to place a control line around Canadian to try to protect the town, but officials also warned that the fire had shown the ability to send burning embers over long distances. USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 Outdoor acoustic warning systems can transmit audible voice instructions over long distances, even in the presence of loud background noise. Richard Danforth, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'long-distance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Adverb

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of long-distance was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near long-distance

long-day

long-distance

long distance

Cite this Entry

“Long-distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-distance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

long-distance

1 of 3 adjective
long-dis·​tance
-ˈdis-tən(t)s
1
: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point
2
a
: situated a long distance away
b
: going or covering a long distance
long-distance roads
a long-distance runner
c
: conducted or effective over a long distance
a long-distance relationship
long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3 adverb
: by long-distance telephone

long distance

3 of 3 noun
1
: communication by long-distance telephone
2
: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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