Pronunciation: /leŋθ/

Definitions of length

noun the measurement or extent of something from end to end; the amount of time something lasts or continues

Example Sentences

A1 The length of the table is one meter.

A2 She measured the length of the room using a tape measure.

B1 The length of the marathon is 26.2 miles.

B2 The length of the movie was over three hours.

C1 The length of the contract will be determined by negotiation.

C2 The length of the novel was over 500 pages.

adjective describing the extent or duration of something

Example Sentences

A1 The length rope is short.

A2 She measured the length of the table with a ruler.

B1 The length of the movie was over two hours.

B2 The length of the marathon was 26.2 miles.

C1 The length of the contract was carefully reviewed by the lawyers.

C2 The length of the dissertation was a staggering 300 pages.

Examples of length in a Sentence

formal The length of the document must not exceed 10 pages.

informal I can't believe the length of that movie, it felt like it would never end!

slang I had to cut the length of my speech because it was getting too boring.

figurative The length of time it took for him to apologize was unacceptable.

Grammatical Forms of length

past tense

lengthened

plural

lengths

comparative

longer

superlative

longest

present tense

lengthens

future tense

will lengthen

perfect tense

has lengthened

continuous tense

is lengthening

singular

length

positive degree

long

infinitive

to lengthen

gerund

lengthening

participle

lengthened

Origin and Evolution of length

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'length' originated from the Old English word 'lengþu' which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'langitho'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'length' has retained its basic meaning of the measurement or extent of something in one direction, but it has also come to be used metaphorically to describe the duration or extent of time or abstract concepts.