Meaning

• The amount of space between two points, usually geographical points, usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

  "From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok."

• Length or interval of time.

• The difference; the subjective measure between two quantities.

  "We're narrowing the distance between the two versions of the bill.  The distance between the lowest and next gear on my bicycle is annoying."

• Remoteness of place; a remote place.

• Remoteness in succession or relation.

  "the distance between a descendant and his ancestor"

• A space marked out in the last part of a racecourse.

• The entire amount of progress to an objective.

  "He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance."

• A withholding of intimacy; alienation; variance.

  "The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance."

• The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.

• The space measured back from the winning-post which a racehorse running in a heat must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in the final heat.

Meaning

• To move away (from) someone or something.

  "He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues."

• To leave at a distance; to outpace, leave behind.