length
noun
Definitions of length noun
measurement
- B1CountableUncountable
the measurement of something from end to end or along its longest side
The ship measures ten meters in length.
The bay extends for approximately 200 miles in length.
She planted rose bushes all along the length of the fence.
piece
- Countable
a piece of something such as string or pipe
a length of rope
We need a sufficient length of cable.
He took a length of lumber from the storage.
unit
- Countable
a unit used in describing the distance by which a horse or boat wins a race, equal to the measurement from one end of the horse or boat to the other
We won by two lengths.
That horse was ahead by nearly three lengths.
The boat won the race by a narrow margin of one length.
distance
- Countable
the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other
She swims 40 lengths in the pool every day.
He swims a few lengths every morning to keep fit.
The length of this pool meets the standards for Olympic competitions.
duration
- B2Countable
the amount of time something lasts
the length of a film/speech/play
He is unable to concentrate on his work for any length of time.
The length of the meeting was longer than expected.
extent
- C1CountableUncountable
the amount of writing in a book or document
He's written books of varying lengths on the subject.
All of your essays should be roughly the same length.
The length of this book makes it ideal for travel reading.
Phrases of length noun
- at length
for a considerable amount of time; in great detail
• George spoke at length about the various illnesses he had experienced.
suffix
Definitions of length suffix
reach
long enough to reach the stated place
a knee-length skirt
shoulder-length hair
An ankle-length coat.
period
of the stated amount of time
a full-length movie (= one which has not been shortened)
A full-length marathon race.
Idioms
- go to great lengths
To try extremely hard or make a great effort to achieve a goal.
• They went to great lengths to ensure their wedding was perfect.
- the length and breadth of somewhere
Used to refer to traveling or exploring every part of a particular place.
• The photographer traveled the length and breadth of the island in search of the perfect location.