distant

adjective

dis·​tant ˈdi-stənt How to pronounce distant (audio)
1
a
: separated in space : away
a mile distant
b
: situated at a great distance (see distance entry 1 sense 2a) : far-off
a distant galaxy
c
: having a great amount of separation between each other : separated by a great distance from each other : far apart
visiting distant places
distant campuses
d
: far behind
finished a distant third
2
: separated in a relationship other than spatial
a distant cousin
the distant past
3
: different in kind
from two very distant backgrounds
4
: reserved or aloof in personal relationship : cold
was distant and distracted
5
a
: going a long distance
distant voyages
b
: concerned with remote (see remote entry 1 sense 2) things
distant thoughts
distantly adverb
distantness noun

Examples of distant in a Sentence

In the distant past, dinosaurs roamed the earth. The day I left home is now a distant memory.
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.
Shaw’s prophecy was light years distant from Uncle Jerry’s reality. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025 In Oscar-winning writer/director Bong Joon Ho’s new movie, Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) is an Earth man who signs up for a colonizing expedition to a distant icy planet and volunteers for a job that puts him in deadly situations constantly. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025 However, as the digital age took over and print media became less prevalent, this art form faded into a distant memory, kept alive only by professional mixed-media and collage artists. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025 Compared with our distant cousins the reptiles, the faces of mammals are made more complex by a protruding nose that is separate from the upper jaw. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distant-, distans, present participle of distare to stand apart, be distant, from dis- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Cite this Entry

“Distant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

distant

adjective
dis·​tant ˈdis-tənt How to pronounce distant (audio)
1
a
: separated in space or time : away
b
: being at a great distance : far-off
distant galaxies
c
: far apart
2
: not close in relationship
distant cousin
3
distantly adverb
distantness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on distant

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