space

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a period of time
also : its duration
2
a
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions : distance, area, volume
b
: an extent set apart or available
parking space
floor space
c
: the distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable
invading my personal space
3
: one of the degrees between or above or below the lines of a musical staff compare line
4
a
: a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
infinite space and time
b
: physical space independent of what occupies it

called also absolute space

5
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system
6
a
: a blank area separating words or lines
b
: material used to produce such blank area
especially : a piece of type less than one en in width
7
: a set of mathematical elements and especially of abstractions of all the points on a line, in a plane, or in physical space
especially : a set of mathematical entities with a set of axioms of geometric character compare metric space, topological space, vector space
8
a
: linage
b
: broadcast time available especially to advertisers
9
: accommodations on a public vehicle
10
a
: the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely
b
: an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself

space

2 of 2

verb

spaced; spacing

transitive verb

: to place at intervals or arrange with space between
Evenly space 16 tablespoons of shredded cheese on the baking sheet …The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
often used with out
Space out the work you plan to do … Don't try to crowd too much into each day.Darlene Polachic

intransitive verb

1
: to leave one or more blank spaces (as in a line of typing)
2
informal : to fail to remember something : forget
… I totally forgot to write last week. I had planned to do it, I had it all figured out, and I spaced.Steve "Nookie" Postal
often used with on
If your mom doesn't live close by, or if you totally spaced on getting her a Mother's Day gift this year, then flowers or chocolates are a great, last-minute gift idea that are sure to brighten her day.Leah Stodart
see also space out

Examples of space in a Sentence

Noun There's still some space for a bookshelf. the space behind the couch Is there space in the cabinet for these dishes? There's not much empty space. He moved the books to create more space on his desk. Those old boxes take up a lot of space. The magazine devotes a lot of space to advertising. She has a space between her front teeth. There isn't much space between our houses. the wide open spaces of the western U.S. Verb Space the seedlings about six inches apart. He spaces his albums so that he puts one out every two to three years. They spaced the births of their three children two years apart.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Keep them all safely nestled within the larger bag to save space and prevent them from getting lost. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 24 Mar. 2024 Now, several boatbuilders are looking at this forward space with a fresh eye, noting possibilities where it could be transformed into a very different way of living. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024 Those are defined as a sizable increase in population in suburbs within commuting distance of downtowns, where workers can ideally reap the benefits of extra space without racking up too far a commute. Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024 Driving hundreds of miles a week, with two kids to haul around while also managing an Airbnb, Wilson appreciated the Traverse's space. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 If your home office is tight on space, check out this compact filing cabinet. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 Orton began leasing the space for $1 a year decades ago, in exchange for restoring the former Ford plant that was converted during World War II to assemble military vehicles. Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024 Assess the situation: Determine the location of the rattlesnake and give it space. The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024 The flagship [series] did not really allow for the time and the space for a two-hander. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
To Curbed, Castellano detailed plans for a furnished patio top deck, 24 hotel rooms with sundecks and two clubs spaced across the lower levels. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2024 Simply space your greens evenly on a clean dish rag or paper towel and pat them dry instead. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 15 Mar. 2024 The scientists note that spacing between comb lines could reach 50 to 100 GHz and that the device could potentially work with blue to midinfrared light. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024 Even without Ripp, the Monarchs took advantage of the increased spacing on the floor. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 The Hornets don’t always have much spacing since few opponents are scared of their perimeter threats outside of Ball, but Curry can help change that. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Feb. 2024 The rows were spaced approximately 50m to 100m apart and along the rows the collar spacings were 70m to 150m. There were four near vertical drill holes and three drill holes with azimuth perpendicular to the pattern that were made to test that there is no drill pattern bias in the results. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024 Roses should be properly spaced, pruned annually to open them to air and sunlight, and fertilized and watered adequately and appropriately. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 That lineup construction has a good blend of spacing, playmaking and outside shooting. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'space.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espace, space, from Latin spatium area, room, interval of space or time

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of space was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near space

Cite this Entry

“Space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

space

1 of 2 noun
1
: a period of time
2
a
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions : distance, area, volume
b
: an area set apart or available
parking space
floor space
3
: the limitless three-dimensional extent in which all things exist and move
4
: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere
5
: a blank area separating words or lines
6
: an available seat on a public vehicle

space

2 of 2 verb
spaced; spacing
: to place with space between
space out the chairs one foot apart

Medical Definition

space

noun
1
: a period of time
also : its duration
2
: a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions
3
: a particular area or cavity within the body

More from Merriam-Webster on space

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