First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1range
noun, often attributive \ˈrānj\
: a group or collection of different things or people that are usually similar in some way
: a series of numbers that includes the highest and lowest possible amounts
: the total amount of ability, knowledge, experience, etc., that a person has
Full Definition of RANGE
1
a (1) : a series of things in a line : row (2) : a series of mountains (3) : one of the north-south rows of townships in a United States public-land survey that are numbered east and west from the principal meridian of the survey b : an aggregate of individuals in one order c : a direction line
2
: a cooking stove that has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements
3
a : a place that may be ranged over b : an open region over which animals (as livestock) may roam and feed c : the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs
4
: the act of ranging about
5
a (1) : the horizontal distance to which a projectile can be propelled (2) : the horizontal distance between a weapon and target b : the maximum distance a vehicle or craft can travel without refueling c (1) : a place where shooting is practiced (2) : driving range
6
a : the space or extent included, covered, or used : scope b : the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within the capacity of a voice or instrument
7
a : a sequence, series, or scale between limits <a wide range of patterns> b : the limits of a series : the distance or extent between possible extremes c : the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution
8
a : the set of values a function may take on b : the class of admissible values of a variable
9
: line 11
See range defined for English-language learners
See range defined for kids
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Origin of RANGE
Middle English, row of persons, from Anglo-French range, renge, from renger to range
Synonym Discussion of RANGE
range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities <the entire range of human experience>. gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another <a performance that ran the gamut of emotions>. compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity <your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study>. sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity <the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity>. scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible <as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened>. orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation <within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change>.
Other Cartography Terms
2range
verb
: to include everything between specified limits
: to live or grow in a particular area
: to move around an area
rangedrang·ing
Full Definition of RANGE
transitive verb
1
a : to set in a row or in the proper order b : to place among others in a position or situation c : to assign to a category : classify
2
a : to rove over or through b : to sail or pass along
3
: to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck
4
: to graze (livestock) on a range
intransitive verb
1
a : to roam at large or freely b : to move over an area so as to explore it
2
: to take a position
3
a : to correspond in direction or line : align b : to extend in a particular direction
4
: to have range
5
: to change or differ within limits
6
of an organism : to live or occur in or be native to a region
See range defined for English-language learners
Origin of RANGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French renger, from renc, reng line, place, row — more at rank
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to RANGE
- Synonyms
- assort, break down, categorize, class, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest, distinguish, distribute, grade, group, peg, place, classify, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type
RANGING Defined for Kids
1range
noun \ˈrānj\
Definition of RANGE for Kids
1
: a series of things in a line <a range of mountains>
2
: the distance over which someone or something can be seen, heard, or reached
3
: a cooking stove
4
: open land over which livestock may roam and feed
5
: a variety of choices within a scale <a range of colors>
6
: the difference between the least and greatest of a set of values
7
: the distance a gun will shoot
8
: a place where shooting is practiced
2range
verb
rangedrang·ing
Definition of RANGE for Kids
1
: to arrange in a particular place or order <There were at least a thousand musicians ranged in a great arc … — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth>
2
: to roam over or through <The horses range freely.>
3
: to come within specified limits <We range in age from 7 to 13.>
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