Definition

1. Noun:

   • A series or line of things: A number of things in a line, such as mountains or buildings.
   • The extent or scope of something: The limits between which something varies or operates.
   • A variety or assortment: A selection of different things of the same general type.
   • An area for practice or testing: A place designed for shooting firearms, driving golf balls, or testing equipment.
   • A large open area for grazing: A vast tract of open land, often in North America, where livestock can roam and feed.
   • A cooking appliance: A large kitchen stove with an oven and burners for cooking food.

2. Verb:

   • To vary within limits: To extend, fluctuate, or be different between specified points.
   • To arrange in a line or order: To place or organize things in a particular order or formation.
   • To roam or wander over an area: To travel or move freely across a wide area.
   • To classify or rank: To assign something to a particular category or position.
   • To have a specific reach or scope: To be capable of covering a certain distance or area.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The Rocky Mountains are a famous mountain range.
  • This job requires a wide range of skills.
  • The store offers a broad range of products.
  • Soldiers practice shooting at the firing range.
  • Cattle grazed on the open range.
  • She cooked dinner on the electric range.

• Verb:

  • Prices range from $10 to $50.
  • Please range the books alphabetically on the shelf.
  • Wolves range over vast territories.
  • Critics range this novel among the author's best works.
  • This radio transmitter ranges over 50 miles.

Advanced Usage

• "At close range": From a very short distance.
  • The photograph was taken at close range.
• "Within range": Inside the area that can be reached or affected.
  • The enemy ship came within range of our cannons.
• "Out of range": Outside the area that can be reached or affected.
  • The bird flew out of range of my camera.

Variants and Related Words

• Ranger (n): A person whose job is to protect a forest or park.
• Ranging (adj./n): The act of moving over or through an area; used to describe something that varies widely.
  • The ranging discussion covered many topics.
• Long-range (adj): Involving or planning for a long period of time or a great distance.
  • They developed a long-range business plan.

Synonyms

• Noun: Scope, extent, spectrum, variety, assortment, series, chain.
• Verb: Vary, extend, roam, wander, arrange, classify, rank.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Range over: To cover or include a wide variety of things.
  • His lecture ranged over several centuries of history.
• Range against: To align in opposition to someone or something.
  • The armies were ranged against each other.

Related Idioms

• A range of options: A variety of different choices available.
  • We have a range of options for the company outing.
• The full range of: All the different types or aspects of something.
  • The exhibition shows the full range of the artist's work.

Noun

1. a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
   • dinner was already on the stove
2. the limit of capability
   • within the compass of education
3. (mathematics) the set of values of the dependent variable for which a function is defined
   • the image of f(x) = x^2 is the set of all non-negative real numbers if the domain of the function is the set of all real numbers
4. a variety of different things or activities
   • he answered a range of questions
   • he was impressed by the range and diversity of the collection
5. a place for shooting (firing or driving) projectiles of various kinds
   • the army maintains a missile range in the desert
   • any good golf club will have a range where you can practice
6. a series of hills or mountains
   • the valley was between two ranges of hills
   • the plains lay just beyond the mountain range
7. a large tract of grassy open land on which livestock can graze
   • they used to drive the cattle across the open range every spring
   • he dreamed of a home on the range
8. the limits within which something can be effective
   • range of motion
   • he was beyond the reach of their fire
9. an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
   • a piano has a greater range than the human voice
   • the ambit of municipal legislation
   • within the compass of this article
   • within the scope of an investigation
   • outside the reach of the law
   • in the political orbit of a world power

Verb

1. assign a rank or rating to
   • how would you rank these students?
   • The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
2. let eat
   • range the animals in the prairie
3. feed as in a meadow or pasture
   • the herd was grazing
4. lay out orderly or logically in a line or as if in a line
   • lay out the clothes
   • lay out the arguments
5. range or extend over; occupy a certain area
   • The plants straddle the entire state
6. have a range; be capable of projecting over a certain distance, as of a gun
   • This gun ranges over two miles
7. move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
   • The gypsies roamed the woods
   • roving vagabonds
   • the wandering Jew
   • The cattle roam across the prairie
   • the laborers drift from one town to the next
   • They rolled from town to town
8. change or be different within limits
   • Estimates for the losses in the earthquake range as high as $2 billion
   • Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent
   • The instruments ranged from tuba to cymbals
   • My students range from very bright to dull