# thick space

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A metal block used to separate words, one third of an em in width.
2. In digital text, a character representing a thick space.

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

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/thick-space