[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/length/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [L](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/l/) / length # length noun (length, lengths) «length» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Length is how long something is from one end to the other. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#m1) 2. Length is how long something lasts in time: the length of the film. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#m2) 3. A length is the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#m3) 4. A length of something is a piece of it: a length of rope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#m4) 5. «At length» means for a long time, or at last. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#m5) ### In the lessons In maths it is a measure of size in cm, m or km; one side of a rectangle, added, compared or multiplied by the width. Length × width gives the area; 2 × (length + width) gives the perimeter. In science we measure length with a ruler, a tape measure or a metre stick. In everyday life: the length of a film, a swim of ten lengths, «go to great lengths» (try very hard). ### Examples - The length of the room is 6 m. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x1) - Find the length of the ribbon left. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x2) - The pool is 25 m in length. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x3) - Length × width gives the area. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x4) - Measure the length of your pencil with a ruler. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x5) - She swam ten lengths of the pool. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x6) - The length of the movie is two hours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x7) - He cut a short length of string for the kite. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x8) - They went to great lengths to find the lost puppy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x9) - At length his longing was satisfied. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/#x10) ### Note Note the spelling: «length» has a «g» and comes from «long» (like «strength» from «strong»). Countable. The verb is «lengthen» (make longer). Maths trap: the perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × (length + width), not length × width; check that all lengths are in the same unit before adding. ## In Jewish tradition Length is measured in cubits and spans for the tabernacle, its boards and the ark. The Writings also use it for time, as in "length of days", meaning a long life, and for the measures of Solomon's Temple. **Interpretation.** Tradition studies these exact measurements as a pattern for the sanctuary. It reads "length of days" as the reward of wisdom and Torah. ### Examples - Four-square it shall be and double: a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof. (Torah EXO.28.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/#x1) - Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. (Torah EXO.36.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/#x2) - Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. (Torah EXO.26.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/#x3) - Is wisdom with aged men, and understanding in length of days? — (Writings JOB.12.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/#x4) - For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to thee. (Writings PRO.3.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/#x5) - The length by cubits after the ancient measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. (Writings 2CH.3.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/#x6) ### Note Note the spelling: «length» has a «g» and comes from «long» (like «strength» from «strong»). Countable. The verb is «lengthen» (make longer). Maths trap: the perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × (length + width), not length × width; check that all lengths are in the same unit before adding. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «length» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/length/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«length» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/length.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «length» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/length/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«length» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/length.html) on Mova free.