1. The linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
   "the length of the table was 5 feet"
    
2. Continuance in time
   "he complained about the length of time required";
   - duration
    
3. The property of being the extent of something from beginning to end
   "the editor limited the length of my article to 500 words"
    
4. Size of the gap between two places
   "he determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points";
   - distance
    
5. A section of something that is long and narrow
   "a length of timber"; "a length of tubing"

Derived forms: lengths

See also: long, short

Type of: dimension, extent, fundamental measure, fundamental quantity, physical property, section, segment, size, temporal property

Encyclopedia: Length