Long-range describes something that can work, reach, or plan far into the distance or future. A long-range missile can travel hundreds or thousands of miles to hit its target, while a short-range weapon might only reach a few miles. A long-range weather forecast tries to predict conditions weeks or months ahead, though these predictions become less accurate the further out they go.

When pilots talk about an aircraft's long-range capability, they mean it can fly great distances without refueling. The Boeing 777, for example, is a long-range airplane that can fly from New York to Singapore without stopping.

The term also applies to planning and goals. A long-range plan looks years into the future rather than just weeks or months. A student making long-range plans might think about what college to attend or what career to pursue, while short-range plans focus on tomorrow's homework or next week's test.