length

The distance from one end of something to the other.

• What is the length of this rope?
• The bridge is fifty metres in length.
• We measured the lengths of both cables.

How to use it: the length of something (We measured the length of the room.)

Common phrases: length of something, in length, total length, length and width

How much space or time something covers, or how much content it contains.

• The length of the book put me off.
• We discussed the length of the meeting.
• Trees line the entire length of the road.

How to use it: the length of something (The length of the film surprised me.)

Similar words: extent

Common phrases: length of something, full length, entire length

A distance equal to a horse’s body, used to compare positions in a race.

• The horse won by a length.
• Our horse finished three lengths behind the winner.
• She led by two lengths near the finish.

Common phrases: by a length, two lengths behind, win by lengths

How far along the playing area a cricket ball travels before it hits the ground.

• The bowler kept a good length.
• That delivery was a little short in length.
• She varied her length to confuse the batter.

Common phrases: good length, short length, bowl a length