(~s, ranging, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ of things is a number of different things of the same general kind.
A wide ~ of colours and patterns are available...
The two men discussed a ~ of issues...
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n
2.
A ~ is the complete group that is included between two points on a scale of measurement or quality.
The average age ~ is between 35 and 55.
...properties available in the price ~ they are looking for.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft n N
3.
The ~ of something is the maximum area in which it can reach things or detect things.
The 120mm mortar has a ~ of 18,000 yards...
N-COUNT: usu with supp
4.
If things ~ between two points or ~ from one point to another, they vary within these points on a scale of measurement or quality.
They ~ in price from $3 to $15.
...offering merchandise ranging from the everyday to the esoteric.
...temperatures ranging between 5°C and 20°C.
VERB: V from amount to amount, V from n to n, V between pl-amount
5.
A ~ of mountains or hills is a line of them.
...the massive mountain ~s to the north.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
6.
A rifle ~ or a shooting ~ is a place where people can practise shooting at targets.
It reminds me of my days on the rifle ~ preparing for duty in Vietnam.
N-COUNT: usu supp N
7.
A ~ or kitchen ~ is an old-fashioned metal cooker. (BRIT)
N-COUNT: usu with supp
8.
A ~ or kitchen ~ is a large metal device for cooking food using gas or electricity. A ~ consists of a grill, an oven, and some gas or electric rings. (AM; in BRIT, usually use cooker )
N-COUNT
9.
see also free-~
10.
If something is in ~ or within ~, it is near enough to be reached or detected. If it is out of ~, it is too far away to be reached or detected.
Cars are driven through the mess, splashing everyone in ~.
...a base within ~ of enemy missiles...
The fish stayed 50 yards offshore, well out of ~.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v
11.
If you see or hit something at close ~ or from close ~, you are very close to it when you see it or hit it. If you do something at a ~ of half a mile, for example, you are half a mile away from it when you do it.
He was shot in the head at close ~...
The enemy opened fire at a ~ of only 20 yards.
PHRASE: PHR after v