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
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.
Adjective
Short-distance spikes barely have any padding to ensure direct force transfer whenever your foot comes into contact wiht the track, while medium- and long-distance spikes need more foam for impact- and leg strain–elimination purposes. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 Under Robinson, the Roosters have thrived on long-distance hauls to places like Leeds, Manchester and London, even when facing home teams. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Adverb
As hopes to revive it fizzled, enthusiasm to turn the corridor into a long-distance trail climbed. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Did the first long-distance telephone call from Chicago to New York actually happen if the guy at the other end of the line couldn’t hear a thing? — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
Finally, there are far-range options designed to travel long distances to hit strategic targets, which have expanded from military sites to logistical hubs, warehouses and data centers. — Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Why a cable needs more than glass Even with high-quality optical fibers, signals weaken over long distances. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for long-distance

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of long-distance was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long-distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-distance. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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
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