Interval vs. Distance — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
Interval refers to the space between two points or events in time or space, emphasizing separation, while distance measures the total space between two points, focusing on the extent.
Difference Between Interval and Distance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Interval is typically used to specify a gap or a pause between two points or events, which can be temporal or spatial. For instance, intervals are often mentioned in terms of time between train arrivals. Whereas, distance refers to the length of the path connecting two points, regardless of the medium or context, such as the distance one travels from home to work.
In the context of music, an interval describes the difference in pitch between two tones, which is crucial for harmony and melody composition. On the other hand, distance in physics describes how far an object has moved, which is a scalar quantity and does not imply direction, just magnitude.
When discussing intervals in a schedule or a timeline, the focus is on the duration between events or activities, such as the interval between meetings. In contrast, distance in a geographical context measures the actual physical length between two locations, often calculated in miles or kilometers.
In mathematics, intervals are sets of numbers lying between two endpoints, highlighting the concept of a segment or a section of a number line. Meanwhile, distance is a more general mathematical concept used to quantify the separation between any two points in a variety of spaces, based on predefined metrics.
Interval training in sports is a method of exercise that involves alternating between periods of high-intensity activity and periods of lower intensity or rest. This use of 'interval' focuses on the timing aspect. Distance, however, is often used in athletics to refer to the length of a race or the total distance an athlete needs to cover, emphasizing the challenge of endurance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The space between two points or events.
The extent of space between two points.
Usage in Context
Temporal or spatial gaps.
Length or extent of travel.
Example Domains
Music, scheduling, sports.
Physics, geography, athletics.
Key Characteristics
May imply sequence or duration.
Focuses on magnitude, not sequence.
Measurement
Time, pitch in music, rounds in sports.
Meters, miles, or quantitative units.
Compare with Definitions
Interval
A period between two events or points in time.
The interval between meetings was just enough to prepare.
Distance
A scalar measure in physics.
He calculated the distance the light traveled in a vacuum.
Interval
A method in training involving varied intensity.
Interval training can significantly improve cardiovascular health.
Distance
A concept in mathematics to measure space separation.
The distance between two points on a graph can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.
Interval
A specific segment in music.
A perfect fifth is a common interval in Western music.
Distance
The length of space between two points.
The distance from my home to the office is three miles.
Interval
A pause or break in activity.
She took a brief interval to catch her breath.
Distance
A metaphor for emotional separation.
They tried to bridge the emotional distance between them.
Interval
A set between two numbers in mathematics.
The interval from 1 to 5 includes all numbers between these endpoints.
Distance
A measure in sports.
The marathon is a distance of 26.2 miles.
Interval
An intervening time
The day should be dry with sunny intervals
After his departure, there was an interval of many years without any meetings
Distance
Distance is a numerical measurement of how far apart objects or points are. In physics or everyday usage, distance may refer to a physical length or an estimation based on other criteria (e.g.
Interval
A pause or break in activity
An interval of mourning
Distance
The length of the space between two points
You may have to walk long distances
I cycled the short distance home
Interval
A space between two things; a gap.
Distance
The full length of a race
He claimed the 100 m title in only his second race over the distance
Interval
The difference in pitch between two sounds.
Distance
The avoidance of familiarity; reserve
A mix of warmth and distance makes a good neighbour
Interval
A space between objects, points, or units, especially when making uniform amounts of separation
We set up hurdles at intervals of 15 yards around the track.
Distance
Make (someone or something) far off or remote in position or nature
Her mother wished to distance her from the rough village children
Interval
An amount of time between events, especially of uniform duration separating events in a series
We ran laps at 30-second intervals.
Distance
Beat (a horse) by a distance.
Interval
A segment of an athletic workout in which an athlete runs, swims, or does other exercise over a series of predetermined distances at regular time increments with intermittent rests.
Distance
The extent of space between two objects or places; an intervening space.
Interval
A set of numbers consisting of all the numbers between a pair of given numbers along with either, both, or none of the endpoints.
Distance
The fact or condition of being apart in space; remoteness.
Interval
A closed interval.
Distance
(Mathematics) The length or numerical value of a straight line or curve.
Interval
An open interval.
Distance
The extent of space between points on a measured course.
Interval
A half-open interval.
Distance
The length of a race, especially of a horserace.
Interval
A line segment representing the set of numbers in an interval.
Distance
A point or area that is far away
"Telephone poles stretched way into a distance I couldn't quite see" (Leigh Allison Wilson).
Interval
Chiefly British An intermission, as between acts of a play.
Distance
A depiction of a such a point or area.
Interval
(Music) The difference, usually expressed in the number of steps, between two pitches.
Distance
A stretch of space without designation of limit; an expanse
A land of few hills and great distances.
Interval
A distance in space.
Distance
The extent of time between two events; an intervening period.
Interval
A period of time.
The interval between contractions during childbirth
Distance
A point removed in time
At a distance of 11 years, his memory of the crime was blurry.
Interval
(music) The difference (a ratio or logarithmic measure) in pitch between two notes, often referring to those two pitches themselves (otherwise known as a dyad).
Distance
The full period or length of a contest or game
The challenger had never attempted the distance of 12 rounds.
Interval
(mathematics) A connected section of the real line which may be empty or have a length of zero.
Distance
An amount of progress
The curriculum committee is a distance from where it was last month.
Interval
An intermission.
Distance
Difference or disagreement
The candidates could not be at a greater distance on this issue.
Interval
(sports) half time, a scheduled intermission between the periods of play
Distance
Emotional separateness or reserve; aloofness.
Interval
(cricket) Either of the two breaks, at lunch and tea, between the three sessions of a day's play
Distance
To place or keep at or as if at a distance
"monks who had distanced themselves from the official ecclesiastical hierarchy by resurrecting the ascetic traditions of the early Church Fathers" (Rosamund Bartlett).
Interval
A space between things; a void space intervening between any two objects; as, an interval between two houses or hills.
'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left,A dreadful interval.
Distance
To cause to appear at a distance.
Interval
Space of time between any two points or events; as, the interval between the death of Charles I. of England, and the accession of Charles II.
Distance
To leave far behind; outrun.
Interval
A brief space of time between the recurrence of similar conditions or states; as, the interval between paroxysms of pain; intervals of sanity or delirium.
Distance
(countable) The amount of space between two points, usually geographical points, usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
The distance to Petersborough is thirty miles.
From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok.
Interval
Difference in pitch between any two tones.
Distance
Length or interval of time.
Interval
A definite length of time marked off by two instants
Distance
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.
Interval
A set containing all points (or all real numbers) between two given endpoints
Distance
Remoteness of place; a remote place.
Interval
The distance between things;
Fragile items require separation and cushioning
Distance
Remoteness in succession or relation.
The distance between a descendant and his ancestor
Interval
The difference in pitch between two notes
Distance
A space marked out in the last part of a racecourse.
Distance
The entire amount of progress to an objective.
He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance.
Distance
A withholding of intimacy; alienation; variance.
The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.
Distance
The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
Distance
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.
Distance
(transitive) To move away (from) someone or something.
He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues.
Distance
(transitive) To leave at a distance; to outpace, leave behind.
Distance
(transitive) To lose interest in a specific issue.
Distance
The space between two objects; the length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate; measure of separation in place.
Every particle attracts every other with a force . . . inversely proportioned to the square of the distance.
Distance
Remoteness of place; a remote place.
Easily managed from a distance.
'T is distance lends enchantment to the view.
[He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato.
Distance
A space marked out in the last part of a race course.
The horse that ran the whole field out of distance.
Distance
Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured from front to rear; - contrasted with interval, which is measured from right to left.
Distance
Space between two antagonists in fencing.
Distance
The part of a picture which contains the representation of those objects which are the farthest away, esp. in a landscape.
Distance
Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety.
Distance
Length or interval of time; period, past or future, between two eras or events.
Ten years' distance between one and the other.
The writings of Euclid at the distance of two thousand years.
Distance
The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
I hope your modestyWill know what distance to the crown is due.
'T is by respect and distance that authority is upheld.
Distance
A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness; disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.
Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least distrust amongst themselves.
On the part of Heaven,Now alienated, distance and distaste.
Distance
Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance between a descendant and his ancestor.
Distance
The interval between two notes; as, the distance of a fourth or seventh.
If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is he keeps his at the same time.
Distance
To place at a distance or remotely.
I heard nothing thereof at Oxford, being then miles distanced thence.
Distance
To cause to appear as if at a distance; to make seem remote.
His peculiar art of distancing an object to aggrandize his space.
Distance
The property created by the space between two objects or points
Distance
A distant region;
I could see it in the distance
Distance
Size of the gap between two places;
The distance from New York to Chicago
He determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points
Distance
Indifference by personal withdrawal;
Emotional distance
Distance
The interval between two times;
The distance from birth to death
It all happened in the space of 10 minutes
Distance
A remote point in time;
If that happens it will be at some distance in the future
At a distance of ten years he had forgotten many of the details
Distance
Keep at a distance;
We have to distance ourselves from these events in order to continue living
Distance
Go far ahead of;
He outdistanced the other runners
Common Curiosities
How is distance calculated between two cities?
It's typically measured along the shortest path connecting them, often by road or air line.
How do intervals relate to frequency in physics?
Time intervals can determine the frequency of an event, as frequency is the inverse of the period (or interval).
How are intervals used in interval training?
They denote alternating periods of high and low-intensity exercises.
What is an interval in music?
It's the difference in pitch between two tones, fundamental to the structure of scales and melodies.
Can intervals be negative?
In certain contexts like mathematics, intervals represent a range and are not negative, though they can include negative numbers.
Are intervals only used to describe time?
No, intervals can describe any segment or range, including numbers or physical spaces.
How does one measure distance in physics?
Distance is measured as the total path traveled by an object, regardless of direction.
What is a temporal interval?
It's the duration between two points in time.
Why is knowing the distance important in planning travel?
It helps in estimating travel time, fuel needs, and possible routes.
Is distance always a straight line?
In geometry, yes, but in real-world scenarios, distance can follow various paths.
Can distance be zero?
Yes, when two points coincide, the distance between them is zero.
What does it mean when someone feels a distance in a relationship?
It typically refers to an emotional gap or detachment between individuals.
Can an interval be infinite?
In mathematics, intervals can be unbounded or infinite.
What units are used to measure distance?
Common units include meters, kilometers, and miles.
How does distance affect communication?
Greater physical distances can hinder effective communication without technological aid.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
