arm's length

noun

1
: a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity
kept former friends at arm's length now
2
: the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing
arm's-length
ˈärmz-ˈleŋ(k)th How to pronounce arm's length (audio)
-ˈlen(t)th
adjective

Examples of arm's length in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Indeed, in India, the middle class has historically maintained an arm's length relationship with politics. Milan Vaishnav, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2013 As part of its initial ruling in 2016, the Commission contended that the arm's length principle was a good benchmark for establishing whether a company was receiving a selective advantage. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 Make sure the center of the screen is up to 5 inches below eye level and about arm's length from your eyes. Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024 The Sale Transaction was negotiated on an arm's length basis between the parties which did not involve any non-arm's length parties. Sacramento Bee, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for arm's length 

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arm's length was in 1655

Dictionary Entries Near arm's length

Cite this Entry

“Arm's length.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arm%27s%20length. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

arm's length

noun
: the condition of the parties to a business deal in which each has independent interests and one does not dominate the other
often used in the phrase at arm's length
a contract made at arm's length
arm's-length adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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