long-distance

1 of 3

adjective

long-dis·​tance ˈlȯŋ-ˈdi-stən(t)s 

1

: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point especially outside a specified area

2

a

: situated a long distance away

b

: going or covering a long distance

long-distance roads

a long-distance runner

c

: conducted or effective over long distance

a long-distance relationship

long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3

adverb

1

: by long-distance telephone

called her long-distance

2

: over or from a long distance

long distance

3 of 3

noun

1

: communication by long-distance telephone

2

: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections

Examples of long-distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Queen, who is projected to be chosen in the mid-to-late first round of the upcoming NBA draft, didn’t seem too surprised by his long-distance accuracy. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025

Watch Molly’s Game on Netflix 10 of 17 Nyad In Nyad, Annette Bening plays long-distance swimmer Diana Nayd who wants to swim from Cuba to the US at the age of 60. —Keith Langston, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025

Adverb

Travelers who take off on months-long, around-the-world cruises enjoy the combination of daily resort-style perks and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences only long-distance cruising can offer. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023

In the East Regional, Michigan State and Kansas State combined for 24 made 3s, both shooting over 45% from long-distance. —Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023

Noun

The 26 points ties a program record in a Big Ten Tournament game set by Jake Layman in a 97-86 victory over Nebraska in 2016, and Rice’s 7-for-9 display from long distance established a school mark for 3-pointers in any league tournament game. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2025

But in New England — where there are no mines or wells extracting fossil fuels — the high cost of electricity is driven in part by the need to transport natural gas long distances across pipelines running through multiple states. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Adverb

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

long-distance

1 of 3 adjective

long-dis·​tance

-ˈdis-tən(t)s

1

: of or relating to telephone communication with a distant point

2

a

: situated a long distance away

b

: going or covering a long distance

long-distance roads

a long-distance runner

c

: conducted or effective over a long distance

a long-distance relationship

long-distance listening devices

long-distance

2 of 3 adverb

: by long-distance telephone

long distance

3 of 3 noun

1

: communication by long-distance telephone

2

: a telephone operator or exchange that gives long-distance connections