Inch

/ɪnt͡ʃ/ · noun

Meaning

An English unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot or 2.54 cm, conceived as roughly the width of a thumb..

Definitions by Sense

1. An English unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot or 2.54 cm, conceived as roughly the width of a thumb.
2. (figuratively) Any very short distance.
3. Any of various similar units of length in other traditional systems of measurement.
4. (meteorology) A depth of one inch on the ground, used as a measurement of rainfall.
5. A depth of one inch in a glass, used as a rough measurement of alcoholic beverages.
6. (intransitive, followed by a preposition) To advance very slowly, or by a small amount (in a particular direction).
7. To drive by inches, or small degrees.
8. To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.

Example Sentences

The sledges of the Esquimaux are of large size, varying from six and a half to nine and even eleven feet in length, and from eighteen inches to two feet in breadth.

The term "precision measurement" […] refers to the art of reproducing and controlling dimensions expressed in thousandths of an inch or smaller.

He describes the operation thus: "The heavy ram employed to impart the finishing strokes, hoisted up with double purchase and snail's pace to the summit of the Piling Engine, and then falling down like a thunderbolt on the head of the devoted timber, driving it perhaps a single half inch in to the stratum below, is well calculated to put to the test the virtue of patience, while it illustrates the old adage of—slow and sure."

Don't move an inch!

Beldame, I think we watched you at an inch.

[B]e the consequences what they may, they shall not move an inch, nor a hair's-breadth from the ground of their groundless spiritual independence, […]

Let us consider what one inch of rain really means. If an acre of land were covered with water to the depth of only the tenth part of an inch, that layer of water would weigh more than 10 tons: thus 1 inch of rain is ten times that amount—in fact, very nearly 101 tons.

Fearful of falling, he inched along the window ledge.

Synonyms for inch

Antonyms for inch

Related Words

Word Forms

• inches
• inch
• in
• in.
• ″
• inching
• inched

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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