furlong

noun

fur·​long ˈfər-ˌlȯŋ How to pronounce furlong (audio)
: a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about 201 meters)

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Furlong Has Old English Roots

Furlong is an English original and can be traced back to Old English furlang, a combination of the noun furh ("furrow") and the adjective lang ("long"). Though now standardized as a length of 220 yards (or 1/8th of a mile), the furlong was originally defined less precisely as the length of a furrow in a cultivated field. This length was equal to the long side of an acre—an area originally defined as the amount of arable land that could be plowed by a yoke of oxen in a day, but later standardized as an area measuring 220 yards (one furlong) by 22 yards, and now defined as any area measuring 4,840 square yards. In contemporary usage, furlong is often encountered in references to horse racing.

Examples of furlong in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the last furlong, and most visibly in the last few strides the leading four athletes took in that last furlong, not a horse among them could provide a surge to stop Senor Buscador. Guy Martin, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 There is a possible agreement that would allow Los Alamitos to run low level — $5,000 claimers — more than 4 1/2 furlongs. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2023 In the last Breeders’ Cup race of the day, Elite Power ($5.40) unleashed a powerful drive on the outside to repeat as champion in the $2-million Sprint at six furlongs for Mott and Ortiz. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023 Even worse, after the plant's foliage withers in summer, spreading roots grow by the furlong in every direction. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2023 Tarasenko could be just what Senators need Vladimir Tarasenko finished many furlongs short in his race for big bucks as an unrestricted free agent, which could end up being a pricey proposition for the Bruins in the Eastern Conference standings. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023 Reid’s most notable additions to the compound include 14 loose boxes (or stables), a horse-walker, six furlong gallops, plus a polo field. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 June 2023 Two Phil’s led the field of 18 into the stretch, but was overtaken by Mage, who had been picking off horses through the previous 2 furlongs, and betting favorite Angel of Empire couldn’t catch the two front-runners before the wire. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 6 May 2023 Ogden edges Cameron by a head in the second race on the card, a six furlong sprint on the main track. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'furlong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English furlang, from furh furrow + lang long

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of furlong was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near furlong

Cite this Entry

“Furlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/furlong. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

furlong

noun
fur·​long ˈfər-ˌlȯŋ How to pronounce furlong (audio)
: a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about 201 meters)

More from Merriam-Webster on furlong

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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