Length vs. Dimension — What's the Difference?

Length is a measure of distance. In the International System of Quantities, length is a quantity with dimension distance.

In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a mathematical space (or object) is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus a line has a dimension of one (1D) because only one coordinate is needed to specify a point on it – for example, the point at 5 on a number line.

The measurement or extent of something from end to end; the greater of two or the greatest of three dimensions of an object

A measurable extent of a particular kind, such as length, breadth, depth, or height

The amount of time occupied by something

An aspect or feature of a situation

A piece or stretch of something

Cut or shape (something) to particular measurements.

An extreme to which a course of action is taken

A measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length.

The distance from the batsman at which a well-bowled ball pitches

Often dimensions Extent or magnitude; scope

(in bridge or whist) the number of cards of a suit held in one's hand, especially when five or more

Aspect; element

The state, quality, or fact of being long. See Usage Note at strength.

The least number of independent coordinates required to specify uniquely the points in a space.

The measurement of the extent of something along its greatest dimension

The range of such a coordinate.

A piece, often of a standard size, that is normally measured along its greatest dimension

(Physics) A physical property, such as mass, distance, time, or a combination thereof, regarded as a fundamental measure of a physical quantity

A measure used as a unit to estimate distances

A realm of existence, as in a work of fiction, that is physically separate from another such realm

Extent or distance from beginning to end

To cut or shape to specified dimensions.

The amount of time between specified moments; the duration

To mark with specified dimensions.

Often lengths Extent or degree to which an action or policy is carried

A single aspect of a given thing.

The duration of a vowel.

A measure of spatial extent in a particular direction, such as height, width or breadth, or depth.

The duration of a syllable.

A construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished.

The vertical extent of a garment. Often used in combination

(geometry) The number of independent coordinates needed to specify uniquely the location of a point in a space; also, any of such independent coordinates.

The distance measured along the longest dimension of an object.

(linear algebra) The number of elements of any basis of a vector space.

Duration.

(physics) One of the physical properties that are regarded as fundamental measures of a physical quantity, such as mass, length and time.

(horse racing) The length of a horse, used to indicate the distance between horses at the end of a race.

(computing) Any of the independent ranges of indices in a multidimensional array.

(mathematics) Distance between the two ends of a line segment.

A universe or plane of existence.

(cricket) The distance down the pitch that the ball bounces on its way to the batsman.

(transitive) To mark, cut or shape something to specified dimensions.

(figuratively) Total extent.

To specify the size of (an array or similar data structure); to allocate.

Part of something that is long; a physical piece of something.

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(theatre) A unit of script length, comprising 42 lines.

Measure in a single line, as length, breadth, height, thickness, or circumference; extension; measurement; - usually, in the plural, measure in length and breadth, or in length, breadth, and thickness; extent; size; as, the dimensions of a room, or of a ship; the dimensions of a farm, of a kingdom.

(bridge) The number of cards held in a particular suit.

Extent; reach; scope; importance; as, a project of large dimensions.

(obsolete) To lengthen.

The degree of manifoldness of a quantity; as, time is quantity having one dimension; volume has three dimensions, relative to extension.

The longest, or longer, dimension of any object, in distinction from breadth or width; extent of anything from end to end; the longest line which can be drawn through a body, parallel to its sides; as, the length of a church, or of a ship; the length of a rope or line.

A literal factor, as numbered in characterizing a term. The term dimensions forms with the cardinal numbers a phrase equivalent to degree with the ordinal; thus, a2b2c is a term of five dimensions, or of the fifth degree.

A portion of space or of time considered as measured by its length; - often in the plural.

The manifoldness with which the fundamental units of time, length, and mass are involved in determining the units of other physical quantities.

The quality or state of being long, in space or time; extent; duration; as, some sea birds are remarkable for the length of their wings; he was tired by the length of the sermon, and the length of his walk.

The magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)

A single piece or subdivision of a series, or of a number of long pieces which may be connected together; as, a length of pipe; a length of fence.

A construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished;

Detail or amplification; unfolding; continuance as, to pursue a subject to a great length.

One of three cartesian coordinates that determine a position in space

Distance.

Magnitude or extent;

To lengthen.

Indicate the dimensions on;

The linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest horizontal dimension of something that is fixed in place;

Shape or form to required dimensions

Continuance in time;

The property of being the extent of something from beginning to end;

Size of the gap between two places;

A section of something that is long and narrow;