An inch is a unit of measurement equivalent to 2.53 centimeters. There are 12 inches in a foot and 36 inches in a yard. (A yard is similar to a meter in length.)
Gloria baked some bread in a nine-inch pan.
The viewing area on a large cell phone is about five inches by three inches.
The young man competing in the high jump missed the school record by just an inch.
There were several inches of water in the basement following the heavy rain.
You can also use the word "inch" as a verb to describe slow movement.
The kids are inching towards the door, eager to get outside and play.
Traffic inched through the construction zone.
There’s a turtle inching towards the water.
Hikers inched along a narrow path around the mountain.
The word "inch" is frequently heard in expressions that describe small amounts:
Inch by inch, she’s making progress.
Don’t move an inch! There’s a bee on your head.
If you give an inch, they’ll take a mile. (People will take advantage of your decision to compromise.)
Don’t give up an inch. (Don’t compromise or allow someone to take something from you.)
We’re just inches away from getting the deal done. (We’re almost finished.)
