thick space

noun

A metal block used to separate words, one third of an em in width.

Similar
3-to-the-em space3-em space
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Meanings

nounthick space (plural thick spaces)

plural thick spaces

  1. letterpress typographyA metal block used to separate words, one third of an em in width.

    Synonyms: 3-to-the-em space, 3-em space

  2. mediaIn digital text, a character representing a thick space.

    Synonyms: 3-to-the-em space, 3-em space

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA metal block used to separate words, one third of an em in width.

Similar
3-to-the-em space3-em space

nounIn digital text, a character representing a thick space.

Similar
3-to-the-em space3-em space
Also see
3-em space3-to-the-em space

Origin

From thick + space. First use appears c. 1683 in the writings of Joseph Moxon.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

thick space. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thick%20space

MLA

“thick space.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thick%20space. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “thick space,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thick%20space.

Source: thick space on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.