spacing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “spacing” mean?
The arrangement and amount of space between printed or written letters, words, or lines, or between objects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The arrangement and amount of space between printed or written letters, words, or lines, or between objects.
The act of putting spaces between things; the interval or gap separating things; also refers to the timing between successive events or actions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Spacing' is the preferred term in both varieties for describing gaps and intervals in design, computing, and planning. British English may more readily accept 'spacing' as an uncountable mass noun in contexts where American might use a compound (e.g., 'letter-spacing').
Connotations
Neutral in both. Technical/design connotations are primary.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in technical/manufacturing contexts (e.g., 'bolt spacing').
Grammar
How to Use “spacing” in a Sentence
[N] + spacing (e.g., line spacing)spacing + [of] + [N] (e.g., spacing of the posts)spacing + [between] + [N] (e.g., spacing between words)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spacing” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The spacing on this legal document must be exactly 1.5 lines.
- Check the spacing between the fence posts; it seems irregular.
- The spacing of doses is critical for the vaccine's efficacy.
American English
- Change the document spacing to double for the essay submission.
- The spacing of the studs in the wall is 16 inches on center.
- We need to discuss the spacing of team meetings going forward.
adjective
British English
- The spacing guidelines are outlined in the style manual.
- We encountered a spacing issue in the final page layout.
- A spacing template was used for the garden beds.
American English
- Use the spacing toolbar to adjust the paragraph settings.
- The spacing requirements for the circuit board are very strict.
- He designed a spacing tool for the workshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to layout in documents, presentations, and reports for clarity and professionalism.
Academic
Crucial in typography, graphic design, publishing, and engineering for specifying measurements and clear presentation of text.
Everyday
Used when discussing document formatting, planting seeds in a garden, or arranging furniture.
Technical
Precise term in typesetting, CAD design, UI/UX design, architecture, and pharmacology (dose spacing).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spacing”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spacing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spacing”
- Using 'space' instead of 'spacing' when referring to the *property* or *arrangement* (e.g., 'The space between lines' vs. 'The line spacing').
- Misspelling as 'spacing' (incorrect).
- Treating it as a countable noun in technical contexts where it is uncountable (e.g., 'Three spacings' is unusual; prefer 'three different spacing values').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable. You refer to 'the spacing' or 'some spacing'. It is rarely used in the plural except in very technical contexts referring to multiple distinct types or measurements of spacing (e.g., 'compare the spacings used in different fonts').
All are typographic terms. 'Spacing' is the general term. 'Kerning' is the adjustment of space between *specific pairs of letters* (e.g., 'AV'). 'Tracking' (or letter-spacing) is the uniform adjustment of space between *all letters* in a block of text. 'Leading' (pronounced 'ledding') is the vertical space between lines of text.
Yes, especially in formal or technical contexts. For example: 'the spacing of electoral cycles', 'the spacing of medication doses', or 'the temporal spacing of signals'.
A text formatting style where a full blank line of space is inserted between each line of text. It is commonly required for academic manuscripts, certain legal documents, and drafts to allow room for handwritten edits or comments.
The arrangement and amount of space between printed or written letters, words, or lines, or between objects.
Spacing is usually neutral to formal in register.
Spacing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspeɪsɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspeɪsɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'spacing' as the head word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPACE being created IN between things. 'SPAC-ing'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPACING IS RHYTHM (visual or temporal rhythm created by regular intervals).
Practice
Quiz
In typography, which term refers specifically to adjusting the space between *pairs of letters*?