I. range 1 S1 W1 AC /reɪndʒ/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: renge , from rengier ; ⇨ ↑ range 2 ]
1 . VARIETY OF THINGS/PEOPLE [countable usually singular] a number of people or things that are all different, but are all of the same general type
range of
a range of services
The drug is effective against a range of bacteria.
wide/broad/whole/full range of something
students from a wide range of backgrounds
advice on a whole range of subjects
narrow/limited range of something
A fairly narrow range of people are responsible for key decisions.
2 . LIMITS [countable] the limits within which amounts, quantities, ages etc vary
age/price/temperature etc range
toys suitable for children in the pre-school age range
a temperature range of 72–85º,
in/within a ... range
Your blood pressure’s well within the normal range.
in the range (of) something to something
a salary in the range of $25,000 to $30,000
Even the cheapest property was out of our price range (=too expensive for us) .
3 . PRODUCTS [countable] a set of similar products made by a particular company or available in a particular shop
range of
a new range of kitchenware
A company from Darlington has just launched its latest range of fashion jewellery.
The watches in this range are priced at £24.50.
We have a very large product range.
⇨ ↑ mid-range , ↑ top-of-the-range
4 . DISTANCE
a) [uncountable and countable] the distance over which a particular weapon can hit things
range of
missiles with a range of 3000 km
within range (of something)
We waited until the enemy was within range.
out of/beyond range (of something)
I ducked down to get out of range of the gunshots.
at close/short/point-blank range (=from very close)
Both men had been shot at point-blank range.
⇨ ↑ long-range , ↑ short-range
b) [uncountable and countable] the distance within which something can be seen or heard
within range (of something)
a handsome man who drew admiring glances from any female within range
any spot within range of your radio signal
out of/beyond range (of something)
Joan hoped that the others were out of range of her mother’s voice.
One way to see birds at close range is to attract them into your own garden.
c) [countable] the distance which a vehicle such as an aircraft can travel before it needs more ↑ fuel etc
range of
The plane has a range of 3,600 miles.
5 . MUSIC [countable usually singular] all the musical notes that a particular singer or musical instrument can make:
His vocal range is amazing.
6 . MOUNTAINS/HILLS [countable] a group of mountains or hills, usually in a line:
a land of high mountain ranges and deep valleys
range of mountains/hills
the longest range of hills in the Lake District
7 . PLACE FOR SHOOTING [countable] an area of land where you can practise shooting or where weapons can be tested:
a rifle range
the police shooting range
8 . ABILITY [uncountable and countable] the number of different things that someone, especially an actor or actress, does well:
an actor of extraordinary range and intensity
9 . LAND [uncountable and countable] American English a large area of land covered with grass, on which cattle are kept
10 . COOKING [countable]
a) American English a ↑ cooker
b) British English a large piece of kitchen equipment in which you make a fire and use this heat to cook food ⇨ stove :
a coal-fired kitchen range
⇨ ↑ free-range
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ adjectives
▪ a wide/broad range
The Institute organises talks on a wide range of topics.
▪ a whole range (=a wide range)
He also supports a whole range of other charities.
▪ a large/great/huge/vast range
A vast range of plants are used in medicines.
▪ a diverse range
During his career he has run a diverse range of businesses.
▪ a narrow/limited range
They only had a very limited range of products available.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + range
▪ a full/complete range
The store stocks a full range of groceries.
▪ an extensive range
The winner will receive a brand-new kitchen from Magnet’s extensive range.
▪ a comprehensive range
We offer a comprehensive range of services for the business traveller.
▪ a new/latest range
Body Blitz is a new range of toiletries specially designed for teenagers.
▪ a product range
We need to broaden our product range.
▪ a colour range British English , a color range AmE:
These curtains are available in a much wider colour range.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ mountain a very high hill:
the highest mountain in Austria
▪ hill an area of land that is higher than the land around it, which is like a mountain but smaller and usually has a rounded top:
We went for a walk in the hills.
|
The house is surrounded by woods, farmland and gentle hills.
▪ Mount ( also Mt written abbreviation ) used in the names of mountains. Don’t say ‘Fuji Mountain’ – say ‘Mount Fuji’ :
Mount Everest
▪ cliff the steep side of an area of land, often next to the sea:
the white cliffs of Dover
▪ precipice especially literary a very steep and dangerous cliff:
They were standing on the edge of a precipice.
▪ crag a high steep rock or mountain:
An eagle sailed over the high crags.
▪ ridge a long narrow area of high ground, especially at the top of a mountain:
I could see a group of climbers high up on a ridge.
▪ knoll a small round hill:
a grassy knoll
▪ volcano a mountain with a large hole at the top, through which ↑ lava (=hot liquid rock) is sometimes forced out:
the eruption of a volcano
▪ summit the very highest point of a mountain:
the summit of Mt Everest
▪ peak especially literary the top of a mountain:
the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas
|
a distant peak
▪ range/chain a group of mountains or hills arranged in a line:
the mountain range that is part of the border between Norway and Sweden
▪ foothills a group of smaller hills below a range of high mountains:
the Sierra foothills
II. range 2 W3 AC BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: rengier , from renc , reng ; ⇨ ↑ rank 1 ]
1 . INCLUDE [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
a) to include a variety of different things or people in addition to those mentioned
range from something to something
The show had a massive audience, ranging from children to grandparents.
b) if prices, levels, temperatures etc range from one amount to another, they include both those amounts and anything in between
range from something to something
There were 120 students whose ages ranged from 10 to 18.
range between something and something
The population of these cities ranges between 3 and 5 million.
range in age/size/price etc
The shoes range in price from $25 to $100.
2 . DEAL WITH MANY SUBJECTS [intransitive] to deal with a wide range of subjects or ideas in a book, speech, conversation etc
range over
The conversation had ranged over a variety of topics, from sport to current affairs.
The discussion ranged widely.
3 . MOVE AROUND [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move around in an area without aiming for a particular place SYN wander
range over/through
Cattle ranged over the pastures in search of food.
4 . range yourself with/against somebody/something formal to publicly state your agreement with, or opposition to, a particular group’s beliefs and ideas:
individuals who had ranged themselves against the authorities
5 . ARRANGE British English [transitive always + adverb/preposition] formal to put things in a particular order or position:
In the dining room, team photographs were ranged along the wall.