nautical Positioned one behind the other. The ships are in range now, Captain. How shall we proceed?

In close proximity to a person or thing. Typically used to describe a nearby target in shooting. Be careful when firing at close range! At close range, I could see that the scary insect was just a harmless June bug.

In close proximity to a person or thing. Typically used to describe a nearby target in shooting. Be careful when firing at point-blank range!

To adjust or improve something so that it meets a certain requirement or expectation. An adjective is often used before "range." You need to bring your students' standardized test scores within the acceptable range for their grade level.

To cause something to move within the distance that one's gunfire can reach. Once our calls brought several turkeys within range, we readied our guns.

A movement and/or method of parenting in which children are granted ample freedom with limited parental supervision, within boundaries considered appropriate by their parents. The movement is often seen as a reaction against laws, rules, and societal pressures mandating that children are supervised nearly at all times. We believe in free-range parenting, so once we think our kids are mature enough to handle the responsibility of walking to the park by themselves, we'll let them.

Children who are granted ample freedom with limited parental supervision, within boundaries considered appropriate by their parents. The movement to allow such freedom is often seen as a reaction against laws, rules, and societal pressures mandating that children are supervised nearly at all times. We believe in raising free-range kids, so once we think our kids are mature enough to handle the responsibility of walking to the park by themselves, we'll let them.

Close enough within an area to be seen, heard, or reached by something. With the lion nearly within range, we readied our guns. He wasn't within range of the microphone, so we weren't able to capture anything he was saying. You have to stay within range, or the camera won't be able to focus on you properly.

To move close enough within an area to be seen, heard, or reached by something. When the lion came within range, we readied our guns. He never came within range of the microphone, so we weren't able to capture anything he was saying. You need to come within range, or the camera won't be able to focus on you properly.

To move, travel, or search over a large area or place. You can let your animals range over the pasture behind my grandfather's cabin. We ranged over the many acres, keeping watch for bandits and wolves.