- range
- [[t]re͟ɪnʤ[/t]]
♦♦ranges, ranging, ranged1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n A range of things is a number of different things of the same general kind.
A wide range of colours and patterns are available...
The two men discussed a range of issues...
The range includes chests of drawers, tables and wardrobes.
2) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft n N A range is the complete group that is included between two points on a scale of measurement or quality.The average age range is between 35 and 55.
...properties available in the price range they are looking for.
...top-of-the-range products for which people are prepared to pay a little bit more.
3) N-COUNT: usu with supp The range of something is the maximum area in which it can reach things or detect things.The 120mm mortar has a range of 18,000 yards...
The trees on the mountains within my range of vision had all been felled...
Tactical nuclear weapons have shorter ranges.
4) VERB If things range between two points or range from one point to another, they vary within these points on a scale of measurement or quality.[V from amount to amount] They range in price from $3 to $15.
[V from n to n] ...offering merchandise ranging from the everyday to the esoteric.
[V between pl-amount] ...temperatures ranging between 5°C and 20°C.
5) VERB If a piece of writing or speech ranges over a group of topics, it includes all those topics.[V over n] The conversation ranged over the desirability of such restaurants, the shortcomings of men, and why it had only taken 15 minutes to cross a continent.
6) VERB: usu passive If people or things are ranged somewhere, they are arranged in a row or in lines. [FORMAL][be V-ed prep] Some 300 trees have been ranged along the perimeter hedge...
[V-ed] More than 1,500 police and troops are ranged against them.
7) VERB If animals or people range somewhere, they move around in a place without having a particular destination in mind.[V prep/adv] Feeding is not a problem because the birds range over such a large area...
[V prep/adv] They range widely in search of carrion. [Also V n]
Syn:8) N-COUNT: usu with supp A range of mountains or hills is a line of them....the massive mountain ranges to the north.
...an impressive range of hills topped with trees.
9) N-COUNT: usu the N A range is a large area of open land, especially land in the United States where cattle are kept. [AM]10) N-COUNT: usu supp N A rifle range or a shooting range is a place where people can practise shooting at targets.It reminds me of my days on the rifle range preparing for duty in Vietnam.
...an Army firing range.
11) N-COUNT: usu with supp A range or kitchen range is an old-fashioned metal cooker. [BRIT]12) N-COUNT A range or kitchen range is a large metal device for cooking food using gas or electricity. A range consists of a grill, an oven, and some gas or electric rings. [AM](in BRIT, usually use cooker)13) → See also free-range14) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If something is in range or within range, it is near enough to be reached or detected. If it is out of range, it is too far away to be reached or detected.Cars are driven through the mess, splashing everyone in range.
...within range of their aircraft.
...out of range of their rockets...
The fish stayed 50 yards offshore, well out of range.
15) PHRASE: PHR after v If you see or hit something at close range or from close range, you are very close to it when you see it or hit it. If you do something at a range of half a mile, for example, you are half a mile away from it when you do it.He was shot in the head at close range...
McCoist knocked the ball in from close range.
...photographing wild animals from close range...
The enemy opened fire at a range of only 20 yards.
English dictionary. 2008.
