space
the unlimited or incalculably great three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur.
the portion or extent of this in a given instance; extent or room in three dimensions: the space occupied by a body.
extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface: to fill out blank spaces in a document.
Fine Arts.
the designed and structured surface of a picture: In Mondrian's later work he organized space in highly complex rhythms.
the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.
a seat, berth, or room on a train, airplane, etc.
a place available for a particular purpose: a parking space.
linear distance; a particular distance: trees separated by equal spaces.
Mathematics. a system of objects with relations between the objects defined.
extent, or a particular extent, of time: a space of two hours.
an interval of time; a while: After a space he continued his story.
an area or interval allowed for or taken by advertising, as in a periodical, on the radio, etc.
Music. the interval between two adjacent lines of the staff.
an interval or blank area in text: a space between the letters.
Printing. one of the blank pieces of metal, less than type-high, used to separate words, sentences, etc.
Telegraphy. an interval during the transmitting of a message when the key is not in contact.
radio or television broadcast time allowed or available for a program, advertisement, etc.
freedom or opportunity to express oneself, resolve a personal difficulty, be alone, etc.; allowance, understanding, or noninterference: Right now, you can help by giving me some space.
to fix the space or spaces of; divide into spaces.
to set some distance apart.
Printing, Writing.
to separate (words, letters, or lines) by spaces.
to extend by inserting more space or spaces (usually followed by out).
Informal. to forget: I had an appointment but I totally spaced.I spaced on your present, I’m so sorry. I spaced the deadline and now my homework's late.
of, relating to, or concerned with outer space or deep space: a space mission.
designed for or suitable to use in the exploration of outer space or deep space: space tools;specially packaged space food for astronauts.
space out, Informal. to become dazed or inattentive:Sorry, I spaced out and didn't catch that.
Origin of space
1Other words from space
- spac·er, noun
- mis·space, verb (used with object), mis·spaced, mis·spac·ing.
- re·space, verb (used with object), re·spaced, re·spac·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use space in a sentence
Spaced out, we learned, in order to minimize the risk in a potential air attack on Hanford.
At the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, a Steady Drip of Toxic Trouble | Eric Nusbaum | February 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThen I went and illegally downloaded Spaced immediately… and was sent Shaun of the Dead and loved it.
Spaced at regular intervals on deck were boxlike objects fronting what resembled gun ports.
Key Out of Time | Andre Alice NortonSpaced well back from the action, they must needs depend upon zoom lenses.
Frigid Fracas | Dallas McCord ReynoldsSpaced contractions have been retained from the original book.
Whittier-land | Samuel T. Pickard
Spaced dashes used in some back matter for better wrapping of text.
Bert Wilson at the Wheel | J. W. Duffield
British Dictionary definitions for space
/ (speɪs) /
the unlimited three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are located: Related adjective: spatial
an interval of distance or time between two points, objects, or events
a blank portion or area
unoccupied area or room: there is no space for a table
(in combination): space-saving Related adjective: spacious
freedom to do what a person wishes to for his or her own personal development
the region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc; universe
(as modifier): a space probe; space navigation
the region beyond the earth's atmosphere occurring between the celestial bodies of the universe. The density is normally negligible although cosmic rays, meteorites, gas clouds, etc, can occur. It can be divided into cislunar space (between the earth and moon), interplanetary space, interstellar space, and intergalactic space
(as modifier): a space station; a space simulator
a seat or place, as on a train, aircraft, etc
printing
a piece of metal, less than type-high, used to separate letters or words in hot-metal printing
any of the gaps used to separate letters, words, or lines in photocomposition, desktop publishing, etc
music any of the gaps between the lines that make up the staff
maths a collection of unspecified points having properties that obey a specified set of axioms: Euclidean space
Also called: spacing telegraphy the period of time that separates complete letters, digits, and other characters in Morse code
to place or arrange at intervals or with spaces between
to divide into or by spaces: to space one's time evenly
printing to separate (letters, words, or lines) by the insertion of spaces
Origin of space
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for space
[ spās ]
The region of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.♦ The part of this region within the solar system is known as interplanetary space.♦ The part of this region beyond the solar system but within the Milky Way or within another galaxy is known as interstellar space.♦ The part of this region between the Milky Way and other galaxies is known as intergalactic space.
The familiar three-dimensional region or field of everyday experience.
Mathematics A mathematical object, typically a set of sets, that is usually structured to define a range across which variables or other objects (such as a coordinate system) can be defined.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with space
In addition to the idiom beginning with space
- space out
also see:
- breathing space
- take up space
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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