span
1the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended.
a unit of length corresponding to this distance, commonly taken as 9 inches (23 centimeters).
a distance, amount, piece, etc., of this length or of some small extent: a span of lace.
Civil Engineering, Architecture.
the distance between two supports of a structure.
the structure so supported.
the distance or space between two supports of a bridge.
the full extent, stretch, or reach of anything: a long span of memory.
Aeronautics. the distance between the wing tips of an airplane.
a limited space of time, as the term or period of living: Our span on earth is short.
Mathematics. the smallest subspace of a vector space that contains a given element or set of elements.
to measure by the hand with the thumb and little finger extended.
to encircle with the hand or hands, as the waist.
to extend over or across (a section of land, a river, etc.).
to provide with something that extends over: to span a river with a bridge.
to extend or reach over (space or time): a memory that spans 90 years.
Mathematics. to function (in a subspace of a vector space) as a span.
Archery. to bend (the bow) in preparation for shooting.
Origin of span
1Other definitions for span (2 of 4)
a pair of horses or other animals harnessed and driven together.
Origin of span
2synonym study For span
Other words for span
Other definitions for span (3 of 4)
Other definitions for Span. (4 of 4)
Spaniard.
Spanish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use span in a sentence
He presides over a sprawling media and sports empire that spans from the Lakers to The Chronicles of Narnia.
The Right-Wing Billionaire Who Bowed to North Korea over ‘The Interview’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the Latino community the legacy of the Mexican Mafia spans multiple generations.
The Mexican Mafia Is the Daddy of All Street Gangs | Seth Ferranti | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNear the confluence of these two rivers a tiny bridge spans the gap connecting the Korengal with the Pech.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThose of us who live here are a fickle bunch with fleeting attention spans.
Catch Him If You Can: Reliving Banksy’s New York Invasion | Alex Suskind | November 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe narrative is a remarkable piece of historical research that spans just over 800 pages.
Thou shaltBehold joy reign in cities and in towns,Old age and youth alike contented dwell,And undulating beards of two spans long!
The Poems of Giacomo Leopardi | Giacomo LeopardiIn some recent masonry arched bridges of spans up to 150 ft. built with hinges considerable economy has been obtained.
It had spans of 172 and 193 ft., and may be taken as a representative type of bridges of this kind.
Hence many multiple-span bridges such as the Hawkesbury, Benares and Chittravatti bridges have been built with independent spans.
It is only since metal has been used that the great spans of 500 to 1800 ft. now accomplished have been made possible.
British Dictionary definitions for span (1 of 4)
/ (spæn) /
the interval, space, or distance between two points, such as the ends of a bridge or arch
the complete duration or extent: the span of his life
psychol the amount of material that can be processed in a single mental act: apprehension span; span of attention
short for wingspan
a unit of length based on the width of an expanded hand, usually taken as nine inches
to stretch or extend across, over, or around
to provide with something that extends across or around: to span a river with a bridge
to measure or cover, esp with the extended hand
Origin of span
1British Dictionary definitions for span (2 of 4)
/ (spæn) /
a team of horses or oxen, esp two matched animals
Origin of span
2British Dictionary definitions for span (3 of 4)
/ (spæn) /
archaic, or dialect a past tense of spin
British Dictionary definitions for Span. (4 of 4)
Spanish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with span
see spick and span.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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