Furlong

A unit of distance, primarily used historically in English-speaking countries, equal to one-eighth of a mile, or 220 yards (approximately 201 meters). Derived from Old English, it originally denoted the length of a furrow in a plowed field. While no longer in common everyday use, the furlong persists in certain contexts like horse racing and land surveying, often appearing as a measurement alongside other units such as miles and acres. Its historical significance lies in its connection to agricultural practices and its role in shaping land divisions. Although often viewed as an outdated unit, the furlong provides a fascinating glimpse into historical measurements and the evolution of surveying practices.

Furlong meaning with examples

• The race announcer described the final stretch of the horse race, noting that the lead horse had a clear advantage, being only a few furlongs from the finish line. The crowd roared with excitement, anticipating the thrilling conclusion of the event, where victory awaited the fastest steed.
• The old map detailed the boundaries of the estate, specifying the lengths of the fields in furlongs, which was still a familiar measurement to the local landowners despite the shift in common usage to the metric system and yards. The estate's size showed that they would be rich.
• Ancient documents mention the parcel of land being described as measuring multiple furlongs in length, representing the historical method of measuring agricultural land, which was common practice in the days before standardized measurements. The land represented great wealth.
• In his calculations, the surveyor used furlongs as a point of reference when detailing property lines and calculating land area. It was a historic method for accurately measuring properties, with dimensions being of a furlong length.