long-dis·tance
ˈlȯŋ-ˈdi-stən(t)s 
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
1
: by long-distance telephone
called her long-distance
2
: over or from a long distance
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
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
When Nora, a Korean-American woman living in New York is visited by her childhood best friend and former long-distance romantic partner, Hae, her world— and that of her partner, Arthur—is shaken.
—John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023
In the East Regional, Michigan State and Kansas State combined for 24 made 3s, both shooting over 45% from long-distance.
—Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023
Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Beyond the immediate area, grease can travel long distances through waterways, spreading pollution and damaging habitats far from the source.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long-distance
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Adjective
That single call across a river in 1876 laid foundational ideas for switching networks, amplifiers, long-distance cables, undersea fiber optics, satellites, and ultimately, mobile networks and the internet.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
When Nora, a Korean-American woman living in New York is visited by her childhood best friend and former long-distance romantic partner, Hae, her world— and that of her partner, Arthur—is shaken.
—John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Travelers who take off on months-long, around-the-world cruises enjoy the combination of daily resort-style perks and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences only long-distance cruising can offer.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023
In the East Regional, Michigan State and Kansas State combined for 24 made 3s, both shooting over 45% from long-distance.
—Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023
Noun
Chaco is known for making great hiking sandals, and its boots are sure to be just as durable and reliable with the same heavy-duty outsole and comfortable footbed for walking long distances.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Beyond the immediate area, grease can travel long distances through waterways, spreading pollution and damaging habitats far from the source.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for long-distance
Cite this Entry
“Long-distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/long-distance. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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