Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense spaces, present participle spacing, past tense, past participle spaced
1. variable noun
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available. The area can be any size. For example, you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space.
...bits of open space such as fields and small parks.
...cutting down yet more trees to make space for houses.
I had plenty of space to write and sew.
The space underneath could be used as a storage area.
He looked cautiously through a half-inch space between the curtains and saw an emptybedroom.
The bird was enclosed in such a small space that it could not turn without bendingits tail.
List in the spaces below the specific changes you have made.
Synonyms: gap, opening, interval, gulf More Synonyms of space
2. variable noun
A particular kind of space is the area that is available for a particular activity or for putting a particular kind of thing in.
...the high cost of office space.
You don't want your living space to look like a bedroom.
Finding a parking space in the summer months is still a virtual impossibility.
There is a communal space for people to gather.
3. uncountable noun [oft n ofN]
If a place gives a feeling of space, it gives an impression of being large and open.
Large paintings can enhance the feeling of space in small rooms.
The sense of space and emptiness is overwhelming.
4. uncountable noun
If you give someone space to think about something or to develop as a person, you allow them the time and freedom todo this.
You need space to think everything over.
We will give each other space to develop.
5. uncountable noun
The amount of space for a topic to be discussed in a document is the number of pages available to discuss the topic.
We can't promise to publish a reply as space is limited.
...some work which we couldn't include because of lack of space in this issue.
6. singular noun
A space of time is a period of time.
They've come a long way in a short space of time. [+ of]
I have known dramatic changes occur in the space of a few minutes with this method.
Synonyms: period, interval, time, while More Synonyms of space
7. uncountable noun
Space is the area beyond the Earth's atmosphere, where the stars and planets are.
The six astronauts on board will spend ten days in space.
...launching satellites into space.
...developments in space technology.
...outer space.
Synonyms: outer space, the universe, the galaxy, the solar system More Synonyms of space
8. uncountable noun
Space is the whole area within which everything exists.
She felt herself transcending time and space.
The physical universe is finite in space and time.
9. verb
If you space a series of things, you arrange them so that they are not all together but have gapsor intervals of time between them.
Women once again are having fewer children and spacing them further apart. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
His voice was angry and he spaced the words for emphasis. [VERB noun]
Space out means the same as space.
He talks quite slowly and spaces his words out. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
I was spacing out the seedlings into divided trays. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
Their last four games are spaced out over three weeks. [beVERB-ed PARTICLE]
Its houses are large, well-spaced and surrounded by gardens.
The RAC is calling for rest areas spaced at regular intervals on major roads.
spacinguncountable noun
Generous spacing gives healthier trees and better crops.
10. See also spacing, airspace, breathing space, outer space, personal space
11.
See (staring) into space
12.
See waste of space
13.
See watch this space
More Synonyms of space
space in British English
(speɪs)
noun
1.
the unlimited three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are located
▶ Related adjective: spatial
2.
an interval of distance or time between two points, objects, or events
3.
a blank portion or area
4.
a.
unoccupied area or room
there is no space for a table
b.
(in combination)
space-saving
▶ Related adjective: spacious
5.
freedom to do what a person wishes to for his or her own personal development
6.
a.
the region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc; universe
b.
(as modifier)
a space probe
space navigation
7.
a.
the region beyond the earth's atmosphere occurring between the celestial bodies of the universe. The density is normally negligible although cosmic rays, meteorites, gas clouds, etc, can occur. It can be divided into cislunar space (between the earth and moon), interplanetary space, interstellar space, and intergalactic space
b.
(as modifier)
a space station
a space simulator
8.
a seat or place, as on a train, aircraft, etc
9. printing
a.
a piece of metal, less than type-high, used to separate letters or words in hot-metal printing
b.
any of the gaps used to separate letters, words, or lines in photocomposition, desktop publishing, etc
10. music
any of the gaps between the lines that make up the staff
11. mathematics
a collection of unspecified points having properties that obey a specified set of axioms
Euclidean space
12. Also called: spacing telegraphy
the period of time that separates complete letters, digits, and other characters in Morse code
verb(transitive)
13.
to place or arrange at intervals or with spaces between
14.
to divide into or by spaces
to space one's time evenly
15. printing
to separate (letters, words, or lines) by the insertion of spaces
Word origin
C13: from Old French espace, from Latin spatium
space in American English
(speɪs)
noun
1.
a.
the three-dimensional, continuous expanse extending in all directions and containing all matter: variously thoughtof as boundless or indeterminately finite
b.
outer space
2.
a.
the distance, expanse, or area between, over, within, etc. things
b.
area or room sufficient for or allotted to something
a parking space
3.
an interval or period of time, often one of specified length
4. US
reserved accommodations
to buy space on a ship
5. US
room in a newspaper or magazine, or time on radio or TV, available for use by advertisers
6. Informal
independence, privacy, and freedom to follow one's own interests
7. Ancient Mathematics
a set of points or elements assumed to satisfy a given set of postulates (Ex.: space of one dimension is a line and of two dimensions is a plane)
8. Music
the open area between any two lines of a staff
9. Printing
a.
a blank piece of type metal used to separate characters or words
b.
the area left vacant by this or by mechanical or electronic means on a printed or typed line
10. Telegraphy
an interval when the key is open, or not in contact, during the sending of a message
adjective
11.
of or pertaining to space, esp. to outer space
verb transitiveWord forms: spaced or ˈspacing
12.
to arrange with space or spaces between; divide into or by spaces
Idioms:
space out
Derived forms
spacer (ˈspacer)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr espace < L spatium < IE base *spēi-, to flourish, expand, succeed > speed, L spes, hope, ON sparr, OE spær, thrifty
More idioms containing
space
a waste of space
COBUILD Collocations
space
available space
communal space
enough space
extra space
interior space
limited space
more space
storage space
vast space
wall space
Examples of 'space' in a sentence
space
Elements such as a new fireplace help divide up the space inside.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They take up little space and give a real boost to summer and autumn colour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This primarily meant converting the roof space into a bedroom and en suite.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Will the planning system protect playing fields and open spaces?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We will find a space to score.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That space on the top has a chance to be a new public space again.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It fits flat against the wall and is ideal for an area where space is restricted.
The Sun (2009)
You need to make a space in a relationship for both careers.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We played too long and left space for them to counter.
The Sun (2011)
No space on board for a man bag.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is way too much space building up between them and safety!
The Sun (2015)
The passing of time is mapped amid the empty space.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You have some idea now what you can say in the space you have available.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
The whole dream just burst apart in the space of a few seconds.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Yet something happened to me in that short space of time.
Christianity Today (2000)
They can be folded down to boost the already large boot space.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To allow them the space that we did was just criminal.
The Sun (2009)
You can still do an awful lot with a small space.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Divide space equally into blind so that all scallops are same width apart.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
So give them the space they need now and move onwards and upwards.
The Sun (2013)
Love that's been under pressure due to lack of time or space shows its real strength.
The Sun (2016)
Inside, it will provide space for four in a futuristic looking cabin.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The study also took into account other health factors such as age, gender and whether people lived near green spaces such as parks.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
space
British English: space /speɪs/ NOUN
empty area You use space to talk about an area that is empty.
They cut down trees to make space for houses.
American English: space
Arabic: فَضَاء
Brazilian Portuguese: espaço
Chinese: 空间
Croatian: prostor
Czech: prostor
Danish: rum
Dutch: ruimte
European Spanish: espacio
Finnish: tila fyysinen
French: espace
German: Raum Platz
Greek: χώρος
Italian: spazio
Japanese: 空間
Korean: 공간
Norwegian: rom plass
Polish: przestrzeń
European Portuguese: espaço
Romanian: spațiu
Russian: пространство
Latin American Spanish: espacio
Swedish: utrymme
Thai: ที่ว่าง
Turkish: boşluk mekan
Ukrainian: простір
Vietnamese: khoảng trống
British English: space /speɪs/ NOUN
where the planets areSpace is the area past the Earth, where the stars and planets are.
The six astronauts will spend ten days in space.
American English: space
Arabic: فَضَاء
Brazilian Portuguese: espaço
Chinese: 太空
Croatian: svemir
Czech: vesmír
Danish: rummet
Dutch: ruimte
European Spanish: espacio
Finnish: avaruus
French: espacecosmos
German: Weltraum
Greek: διάστημα
Italian: spazio
Japanese: 宇宙
Korean: 우주
Norwegian: verdensrom
Polish: kosmos
European Portuguese: espaço
Romanian: spațiu
Russian: космос
Latin American Spanish: espacio
Swedish: rymd
Thai: อวกาศ
Turkish: uzay
Ukrainian: космос
Vietnamese: không gian
All related terms of 'space'
space age
The space age is the present period in the history of the world, when travel in space has become possible.
space-bar
a horizontal bar on a typewriter or computer keyboard that is depressed in order to leave a space between words, letters , etc
space law
the projected law that would govern the use of outer space by various nations based on certain treaties
space out
to insert more space between letters, words, or lines so as to extend to the required length
crawl space
a narrow space in a building giving access to wiring and plumbing
deep space
any region of outer space beyond the system of the earth and moon
disk space
a number of bytes on a disk for the storage of data
extra space
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available . The area can be any size . For example , you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space .
floor space
an area on the floor of a premises where objects may be placed
free space
a region that has no gravitational and electromagnetic fields : used as an absolute standard
hair space
the thinnest of the metal spaces used in setting type to separate letters or words
inner space
the environment beneath the surface of the sea
life space
a spatial representation of all the forces that control a person's behaviour
more space
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available . The area can be any size. For example , you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space .
outer space
Outer space is the area outside the earth's atmosphere where the other planets and stars are situated .
roof space
the attic space inside a roof
safe space
a place or forum where people can openly discuss controversial subjects without fear of reprisal
space cadet
a person who is eccentric or out of touch with reality , as if affected by drugs
space junk
objects such as artificial satellites , material discarded from space stations , etc that remain in space after use
space opera
a science-fiction drama , such as a film or television programme , esp one dealing with interplanetary flight
space plane
any of a series of reusable US space vehicles ( Columbia ( exploded 2003), Challenger (exploded 1986), Discovery , Atlantis , Endeavour ) that could be launched into earth orbit , transporting astronauts and equipment for a period of observation , research , etc, before re-entry and an unpowered landing on a runway . The first operational flight took place in 1981 and it was taken out of service in 2011
space probe
A space probe is a spacecraft with no people in it which is sent into space in order to study the planets and send information about them back to earth.
space race
→ the space race
space shoe
a custom shoe molded to the contours of the wearer's foot
space shot
the launch of a spacecraft and its subsequent flight in space
space suit
A space suit is a special protective suit that is worn by astronauts in space.
space-time
the four-dimensional continuum having three spatial coordinates and one time coordinate that together completely specify the location of a particle or an event
space walk
When an astronaut goes on a space walk , he or she leaves the spacecraft and works outside it while floating in space.
swing space
a temporary working environment , used esp while renovations are being carried out
third space
the coffee shop considered as an alternative to a bar or restaurant as a place to socialize outside the home
vast space
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available . The area can be any size . For example , you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space .
wall space
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available . The area can be any size . For example , you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space .
white space
the portions of a printed page that lack text , illustrations , etc. and are therefore blank
work space
the place where a person, or people work
annular space
An annular space is a ring-shaped space outside the drillpipe, through which mud and cuttings are removed.
Crookes space
a dark region near the cathode in some low-pressure gas-discharge tubes
double-space
to type ( copy ) with a full space between lines
enough space
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available . The area can be any size. For example , you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space .
garage space
space available for housing a motor vehicle, usually within a purpose-built building
limited space
You use space to refer to an area that is empty or available . The area can be any size. For example , you can refer to a large area outside as a large open space or to a small area between two objects as a small space .
linear space
a mathematical structure consisting of a set of objects ( vectors ) associated with a field of objects ( scalars ), such that the set constitutes an Abelian group and a further operation , scalar multiplication , is defined in which the product of a scalar and a vector is a vector
living space
the amount of space people have to live in
metric space
a set for which a metric is defined between every pair of points
office space
office space is a room or rooms in a building that provide a suitable environment for office operations
sample space
the set of possible outcomes of an experiment ; the range of values of a random variable
single-space
to type ( copy ) without leaving a space between the lines
space blanket
a plastic insulating body wrapping coated on one or both sides with aluminium foil which reflects back most of the body heat lost by radiation: carried by climbers , mountaineers , etc, for use in cases of exposure or exhaustion
space capsule
a vehicle, sometimes carrying people or animals, designed to obtain scientific information from space, planets , etc, and be recovered on returning to earth
space charge
the negative electric charge within a cloud of electrons that is located in one of the spaces between electrodes , usually the cathode and first grid , in a vacuum tube
space fiction
a book , film, TV series , etc, set in outer space