length

LENGKTH/lɛŋ(k)θ/

12 meanings of length

1
physical sizenouncountable or uncountable
How long something is, measured from one end to the other.
Like measuring how far a piece of string reaches when you pull it straight.
The length of the rope was just enough to reach the well.
She measured the length of the shelf before cutting the wood.
UsageSay ten meters long or ten meters in length.
Note
2
time it lastsnouncountable or uncountable
How long something lasts in time.
Like how long a song plays from start to finish.
The length of the movie surprised everyone.
We were tired out by the length of the meeting.
Similarduration, span, term, period
Note
3
full extentnounfigurativelyusually singular
The full reach or scope of something, not its size.
Like seeing how far an idea spreads, the way ripples spread across a pond.
He would go to any length to keep his family safe.
She even went to the length of calling every store in town.
UsageMostly in go to great lengths or go to any length to do something.
Similarextent, reach, scope
4
piecenouncountable
A piece of something long, like rope or cloth.
Like cutting one piece off a long roll of tape.
She bought a length of red ribbon for the gift.
He cut a length of rope to tie the boat.
UsageSay a length of rope or cloth, like a piece of.
Similarpiece, section, segment, strip

Less common meanings

5
swimming poolnouncountable
One trip across a swimming pool from end to end, used to count how far you swim.
I swam ten lengths before breakfast today.
Can you swim a whole length without stopping?
UsageSay swim ten lengths or do lengths.
Similarlap
6
horse racingnouncountable
In horse racing, the size of one horse used to measure how far ahead it is.
Like saying a car won by one car's worth of space.
Their horse won the race by a full length.
The gray horse finished just a length behind the winner.
UsageSay a horse won by a length or finished a length behind.
Note
7
wine tastingnoununcountable
In wine tasting, how long the flavor stays in your mouth after the wine is gone.
Like how a strong mint flavor stays in your mouth long after you finish the candy.
This red wine has great length, so the taste stays a long time.
The cheap wine had almost no length after you swallowed.
UsageSay a wine has great length, with no a.
Similarfinish
Note
8
cricketnouncountable or uncountable
In cricket, how far down the pitch the ball bounces before reaching the batter.
Like aiming where a bouncing ball lands so it is hardest to hit.
The bowler kept hitting a good length, so the batter could not score.
He pitched the ball at a good length to trouble the batter.
UsageOften a good length: the ball bounces where it is hard to hit.
Note
9
penisnounslangcountable
A slang word for the penis, often used in sexual stories or writing.
He bragged about his length to anyone who would listen at the bar.
The steamy novel had a whole page about the hero's length.
UsageAlmost always his length, in sexy stories. Avoid it anywhere else.
Similarshaft, member, manhood
Note
10
verbobsolete
To make something longer.
[He] knows full well life doth but length his pain.
a. 1608, Thomas Sackville, Allegorical Personages described in HellHere, length means to make longer, so life only makes his pain last longer.
Was never man such favour could off atall ladies fynde, To cause them lengthe or shorte the day which they to hym assynde.
1552, Richard Huloet, “Ladies of Destinie”Here, lengthe means to make longer, to lengthen the day.
Note
11
noun
In card games like bridge, how many cards a player holds in one suit.
12
nounarchaic
In theater, a unit used to measure a script, equal to 42 lines.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of length apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From an Old English word for length, based on the word "long" plus a suffix that makes a noun.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Length derives from an Old English word meaning length. en.wiktionary.org
The word is based on long plus a noun-forming suffix. en.wiktionary.org