space

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a period of time
also : its duration
2
a
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions : distance, area, volume
b
: an extent set apart or available
parking space
floor space
c
: the distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable
invading my personal space
3
: one of the degrees between or above or below the lines of a musical staff compare line
4
a
: a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
infinite space and time
b
: physical space independent of what occupies it

called also absolute space

5
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system
6
a
: a blank area separating words or lines
b
: material used to produce such blank area
especially : a piece of type less than one en in width
7
: a set of mathematical elements and especially of abstractions of all the points on a line, in a plane, or in physical space
especially : a set of mathematical entities with a set of axioms of geometric character compare metric space, topological space, vector space
8
a
: linage
b
: broadcast time available especially to advertisers
9
: accommodations on a public vehicle
10
a
: the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely
b
: an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself

space

2 of 2

verb

spaced; spacing

transitive verb

: to place at intervals or arrange with space between
Evenly space 16 tablespoons of shredded cheese on the baking sheet …The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
often used with out
Space out the work you plan to do … Don't try to crowd too much into each day.Darlene Polachic

intransitive verb

1
: to leave one or more blank spaces (as in a line of typing)
2
informal : to fail to remember something : forget
… I totally forgot to write last week. I had planned to do it, I had it all figured out, and I spaced.Steve "Nookie" Postal
often used with on
If your mom doesn't live close by, or if you totally spaced on getting her a Mother's Day gift this year, then flowers or chocolates are a great, last-minute gift idea that are sure to brighten her day.Leah Stodart
see also space out

Examples of space in a Sentence

Noun There's still some space for a bookshelf. the space behind the couch Is there space in the cabinet for these dishes? There's not much empty space. He moved the books to create more space on his desk. Those old boxes take up a lot of space. The magazine devotes a lot of space to advertising. She has a space between her front teeth. There isn't much space between our houses. the wide open spaces of the western U.S. Verb Space the seedlings about six inches apart. He spaces his albums so that he puts one out every two to three years. They spaced the births of their three children two years apart.
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.
Noun
The company continues to focus on expanding its space infrastructure and services. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024 Anderson / Prime Video Telling the Cross story through a TV series gives the producers more space to explore the world and the character. Ronda Racha Penrice, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Make sure they're evenly spaced around the center agitator. Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024 Of course, the young ball club wasn't entirely ready, in large part due to a spacing concern that hindered their offensive efficiency. Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for space 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espace, space, from Latin spatium area, room, interval of space or time

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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

Dictionary Entries Near space

Cite this Entry

“Space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

space

1 of 2 noun
1
: a period of time
2
a
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions : distance, area, volume
b
: an area set apart or available
parking space
floor space
3
: the limitless three-dimensional extent in which all things exist and move
4
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere
5
: a blank area separating words or lines
6
: an available seat on a public vehicle

space

2 of 2 verb
spaced; spacing
: to place with space between
space out the chairs one foot apart

Medical Definition

space

noun
1
: a period of time
also : its duration
2
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions
3
: a particular area or cavity within the body

More from Merriam-Webster on space

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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