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
Proper diet keeps most rabbits' teeth − which never stop growing − an appropriate length.
—
Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
The following interview with Iyer has been edited for clarity and length.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2025
The chat, including Wagner’s thoughts on some bruising backs and legendary foes, was edited for clarity, length and flow.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Accredited academic institutions simply aren’t very good at arranging in-field work experience, let alone paid work, and will go to great lengths to avoid it.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for length 
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.
Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
The following interview with Iyer has been edited for clarity and length.
—Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2025
The chat, including Wagner’s thoughts on some bruising backs and legendary foes, was edited for clarity, length and flow.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Accredited academic institutions simply aren’t very good at arranging in-field work experience, let alone paid work, and will go to great lengths to avoid it.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for length
Dictionary Entries Near length
Cite this Entry
“Length.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/length. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share