The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for: length .

Length is a measurement . The length of something is the distance between two ends of the thing. Short means a small length. Long means much length. Short and long are opposites . For two dimensional things, length is usually the longer side.

A ruler is a tool used to measure length.

Measuring [ change | change source ]

All the sides on shapes have a length. The length is between the two points of the side. You can also find the length of any two points on a shape, even if they are not on one side.

A shape can have different lengths based on how many dimensions it takes.

• A line has one size measurement. This measurement is the length.
• A rectangle has two measurements that show its size. These two measurements are the length and the width of the rectangle.
• The length and width of a square are the same.
• A box has three measurements that show its size. These three measurements are the length, the width and the height of the box.
• A circle has diameter , the length across the circle. A circle also has circumference , the length around its side.

Examples [ change | change source ]

• The distance from the front of the bus to the back of the bus is 30 meters. The bus is 30 meters in length.
• A piece of wood is 10 meters X 10 cm X 15 cm. The piece of wood is 10 meters in length, 10 cm in breadth and 15 cm in height.

Length of time [ change | change source ]

Length can also mean an amount of time . The length is measured by looking at the time at the start, then looking at the time at the end.

You might sit down at one o'clock . If you stand up at three o'clock, you would be sitting for two hours. The length of time is two hours.