Main Difference
The main difference between Distance and Length is that the Distance is a straight line that connects two points in a measurable space or in an observable physical space and Length is a measured dimension of an object.
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Distance
Distance is a numerical measurement of how far apart objects are. In physics or everyday usage, distance may refer to a physical length or an estimation based on other criteria (e.g. “two counties over”). In most cases, “distance from A to B” is interchangeable with “distance from B to A”. In mathematics, a distance function or metric is a generalization of the concept of physical distance. A metric is a function that behaves according to a specific set of rules, and is a way of describing what it means for elements of some space to be “close to” or “far away from” each other.
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Length
In geometric measurements, length is the most extended dimension of an object. In the International System of Quantities, length is any quantity with dimension distance. In other contexts, length is a measured dimension of an object. Length may be distinguished from height, which is vertical extent, and width or breadth, which are the distance from side to side, measuring across the object at right angles to the length. For example, it is possible to cut a length of wire shorter than the wire’s width. In most systems of measurement, the unit of length is a base unit, from which other units are derived.
Length is a measure of one dimension, whereas area is a measure of two dimensions (length squared) and volume is a measure of three dimensions (length cubed).
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Distance (noun)
The amount of space between two points, usually geographical points, usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
“The distance to Petersborough is thirty miles.”
“From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok.”
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Distance (noun)
Length or interval of time.
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Distance (noun)
The difference; the subjective measure between two quantities.
“We’re narrowing the distance between the two versions of the bill.”
“The distance between the lowest and next gear on my bicycle is annoying.”
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Distance (noun)
Remoteness of place; a remote place.
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Distance (noun)
Remoteness in succession or relation.
“the distance between a descendant and his ancestor”
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Distance (noun)
A space marked out in the last part of a racecourse.
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Distance (noun)
The entire amount of progress to an objective.
“He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance.”
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Distance (noun)
A withholding of intimacy; alienation; variance.
“The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.”
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Distance (noun)
The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
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Distance (verb)
To move away (from) someone or something.
“He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues.”
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Distance (verb)
To leave at a distance; to outpace, leave behind.
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Length (noun)
The distance measured along the longest dimension of an object.
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Length (noun)
duration
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Length (noun)
The length of a horse, used to indicate the distance between horses at the end of a race.
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Length (noun)
Distance between the two ends of a line segment.
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Length (noun)
The distance down the pitch that the ball bounces on its way to the batsman.
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Length (noun)
Total extent.
“the length of a book”
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Length (noun)
Part of something that is long; a physical piece of something.
“a length of rope”
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Length (verb)
To lengthen.
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Distance (noun)
the length of the space between two points
“you may have to walk long distances”
“I cycled the short distance home”
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Distance (noun)
the condition of being far off; remoteness
“distance makes things look small”
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Distance (noun)
a far-off point
“watching them from a distance”
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Distance (noun)
the more remote part of what is visible or discernible
“they sped off into the distance”
“I heard police sirens in the distance”
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Distance (noun)
an interval of time
“the sort of goal which remains in the memory even at a distance of six years”
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Distance (noun)
the full length of a race
“he claimed the 100 m title in only his second race over the distance”
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Distance (noun)
a space of more than twenty lengths between two finishers in a race
“he stormed home by a distance in the Handicap Chase”
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Distance (noun)
a length of 240 yards from the winning post on a racecourse.
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Distance (noun)
the distance from the winning post which a horse must have reached when the winner finishes in order to qualify for a subsequent heat.
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Distance (noun)
the scheduled length of a fight
“he has won his first five fights inside the distance”
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Distance (noun)
the avoidance of familiarity; reserve
“a mix of warmth and distance makes a good neighbour”
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Distance (verb)
make (someone or something) far off or remote in position or nature
“her mother wished to distance her from the rough village children”
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Distance (verb)
declare that one is not connected with or a supporter of (someone or something)
“he sought to distance himself from the proposals”
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Distance (verb)
beat (a horse) by a distance.
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Length (noun)
the measurement or extent of something from end to end; the greater of two or the greatest of three dimensions of an object
“the fish reaches a length of 10 inches”
“the delta is twenty kilometres in length”
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Length (noun)
the quality of being long
“the length of the waiting list”
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Length (noun)
the length of a swimming pool as a measure of the distance swum
“fifty lengths of the pool”
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Length (noun)
the length of a horse, boat, etc., as a measure of the lead in a race
“the mare won the race by seven lengths”
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Length (noun)
the extent of a garment in a vertical direction when worn
“the length of her skirt”
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Length (noun)
the full distance that a thing extends for
“the muscles running the length of my spine”
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Length (noun)
the full extent of one’s body
“he awkwardly lowered his length into the small car”
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Length (noun)
the metrical quantity or duration of a vowel or syllable
“the length of the syllable is isomorphic with the length of the syllabic vowel”
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Length (noun)
the amount of time occupied by something
“delivery must be within a reasonable length of time”
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Length (noun)
a piece or stretch of something
“the surviving length of track”
“a length of brown satin”
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Length (noun)
an extreme to which a course of action is taken
“they go to great lengths to avoid the press”
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Length (noun)
the distance from the batsman at which a well-bowled ball pitches
“Lewis tended to bowl short of a length”
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Length (noun)
(in bridge or whist) the number of cards of a suit held in one’s hand, especially when five or more
“to open one heart with equal length in hearts and spades is in the modern Acol style”