1
a
: separated in space : away
a mile distant
b
: situated at a great distance (see distance entry 1 sense 2a) : far-off
a distant galaxy
c
: having a great amount of separation between each other : separated by a great distance from each other : far apart
visiting distant places
distant campuses
d
: far behind
finished a distant third
2
: separated in a relationship other than spatial
a distant cousin
the distant past
3
: different in kind
from two very distant backgrounds
5
a
: going a long distance
distant voyages
b
: concerned with remote (see remote entry 1 sense 2) things
distant thoughts
distantly
adverb
distantness
noun
Examples of distant in a Sentence
In the distant past, dinosaurs roamed the earth.
The day I left home is now a distant memory.
Recent Examples on the Web
All are available as ground-floor garden units (timber floors; a king-size bed centered on doors opening onto a private terrace and garden) or upstairs (mirrored in layout but with plush carpets and four-poster beds; views of the surrounding gardens and distant mountains from Juliet balconies).
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Called Labrujasuchus expectatus, the new species belongs to a lineage that today includes crocodiles—but the relationship is a distant one.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026
Sitting 14,000 feet above sea level, this site offers some of the clearest views of the universe, allowing scientists to study distant galaxies and the birth of stars.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
The gains have come largely from the distant number two player, Airtel Money, which has positioned itself as a lower-cost alternative as criticism of M-Pesa’s higher transaction fees has grown.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distant
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
Called Labrujasuchus expectatus, the new species belongs to a lineage that today includes crocodiles—but the relationship is a distant one.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026
Sitting 14,000 feet above sea level, this site offers some of the clearest views of the universe, allowing scientists to study distant galaxies and the birth of stars.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
The gains have come largely from the distant number two player, Airtel Money, which has positioned itself as a lower-cost alternative as criticism of M-Pesa’s higher transaction fees has grown.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distant
Cite this Entry
“Distant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distant. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distant
adjective
dis·tant
ˈdis-tənt 
1
2
: not close in relationship
distant cousin
distantly
adverb
distantness
noun
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