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

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.

Examples

Length of time

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.