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
The difference in length comes from strategic editing.
—
Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The length of Nichushkin’s contract — the eight-year deal runs through the 2029-30 season — provides cover for the Avs.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
The Mustangs hung tough on the conversion as Madeline Hales intercepted a pass and raced the length of the field — 80 yards — for 2 points.
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
The Magic Mouse sports the same simple design as before—a clean, borderless mouse with long, virtual left- and right-click buttons that match almost perfectly with the length of my fingers.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for length 
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Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The length of Nichushkin’s contract — the eight-year deal runs through the 2029-30 season — provides cover for the Avs.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
The Mustangs hung tough on the conversion as Madeline Hales intercepted a pass and raced the length of the field — 80 yards — for 2 points.
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
The Magic Mouse sports the same simple design as before—a clean, borderless mouse with long, virtual left- and right-click buttons that match almost perfectly with the length of my fingers.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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 1 Dec. 2024.
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
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