1.
The ~ of something is the distance between its two sides.
The ~ of the whole camp was 400 paces.
= width
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
2.
The ~ of something is its quality of consisting of or involving many different things.
Older people have a tremendous ~ of experience...
His ~ of knowledge filled me with admiration.
= range
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
3.
If you say that someone does something or something happens throughout or across the length and ~ of a place, you are emphasizing that it happens everywhere in that place.
The group built their reputation by playing across the length and ~ of North America...
She has travelled the length and ~ of Britain.
PHRASE: PHR n emphasis
4.
see also hair’s ~