inch

6 definitions • 16 examples

a unit used for measuring length, approximately equal to 2.54 centimetres, sometimes shown by the symbol ″:

Twelve inches are equal to one foot.

He had a cut an inch long above his left eye.

The snow was six inches deep in some places.

a piece of wood 2″ by 2″

to move very slowly or in many short stages:

inch towards We are inching towards an agreement.

inch up Crime rates have inched up in recent years.

inch higher Share prices inched higher during the day.

inch closer Residents watched the flames inch closer and closer.

a unit of measurement of length equal to 1/12 foot or 2.54 centimeters

to move very slowly, or in a lot of short stages:

[ I ] Stock prices inched higher throughout the afternoon.

[ T ] Mike inched the bookcase into position.

a unit of measure equal to one-twelfth of a foot or 2.54 centimetres:

Eighteen inches of snow disrupted deliveries across the Midwest.

The tablet computer's screen measures 9.4 inches diagonally.

Sheet metal cladding costs more per square inch than reinforced plastic.

to move very slowly or in a lot of short stages:

inch ahead/along/forward Crates inched along the conveyor belt on their way out of the warehouse.

Legislators inched closer to closing a loophole in the law.

inch up/upward Stocks slowly inched upward in March.