span Hear it!

span¹ Definition

span (span)

noun

  1. a unit of linear measure equal to nine inches, based on the distance between the tips of the extended thumb and little finger
    1. the full amount or extent between any two limits
    2. the distance between ends or supports the span of an arch
    3. the full duration (of) span of attention, the span of a person's life
  2. a part between two supports a bridge of four spans
  3. wingspan
  4. Etymology: borrowed in U.S. < Du span, in same sense

    a team of two animals used together

Etymology: ME spanne < OE sponn, akin to Ger spanne < IE *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, draw (> spin, Gr span, to pull) < base *spe-, to pull, extend

transitive verb spanned, span·ning

  1. to measure, esp. by the hand with the thumb and little finger extended
  2. to encircle with the hand or hands, in or as in measuring
  3. to extend, stretch, reach, or pass over or across the bridge that spans the river
  4. to furnish with something that extends or stretches over to span an aisle with an arch

Etymology: ME spannen < OE spannan, join: see span

span² Definition

span (span)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Archaic spin

Span Definition

Span

  1. Spaniard
  2. Spanish

span Synonyms

span

n.

spread, compass, measure; see extent.

span Synonyms

span

v.

traverse, pass over, ford; see cross 1.

span Telecom Definition
See T-span.
span Usage Examples

Object

  • globe: Britain once ruled over a vast and powerful Empire, spanning the globe.
  • decade: In a career spanning three decades, Jones has brought a wide range of keenly etched characters to the movie screen.
  • continent: By virtue of tolerance and understanding, the Empire has evolved into a Commonwealth of 36 Independent Nations spanning the five Continents.
  • spectrum: During the two days of this conference, expert speakers from all quarters will span the spectrum of system criticality.
  • gamut: The evangelistic efforts of this group span the gamut from street preaching and door-to-door witnessing to evangelistic conversations and counseling with personal friends.. .
  • millenium: They span five millennia, and are written on virtually every medium ever employed.

Converse of object

  • shorten: The innovative solution arrived at by Halcrow was to reduce the shear forces at the supports by shortening the spans.
  • lengthen: People are spending more of their lives living on their own -- through choice, through lengthening life spans and widowhood.

Preposition: over

  • decade: A blues survivor, whose career spans over seven decades.

Adjective modifier

  • trainshed: The longest platform faces under the trainshed spans are Nos. 8 and 9, which reach an impressive 1200 foot.
  • short: We have a short attention span, I reckon.
  • chronological: Its chronological range spans from Prehistoric times to the present day.
  • five-year: The 1932 text was manufactured to last, where the 1987 reader is not likely to last beyond a five-year span.
  • limited: The greater your interaction with a person in your limited time span, the more you will know about them.

Modifies a noun

  • bridge: Whalley Lane Bridge ( No 45 ) - A single span masonry bridge over a public road.

Noun used with modifier

  • attention: We have a short attention span, I reckon.
  • wing: THE GANNET is Britain's largest seabird with a wing span of just under two meters.
  • life: Life span You may also want to factor how long your new display device can last.
  • concentration: Iâm always planning an exit, because I have the concentration span of a flea and I get bored after five years.
  • repertoire: Clive's repertoire spans six centuries and includes the complete works of Maurice Duruflé and Olivier Messiaen.
span Quotes

When God at first made man, Having a glass of blessings standing by, 'Let us,'said he,'pour on him all we can: Let the world's riches, which disperse'  d lie, Contract into a span'.

—Herbert, George

Wellcome, all Wonders in one sight! Eternity shut in a span. Summer in Winter, Day in Night. Heaven in Earth and God in Man.

—Crashaw, Richard

Our Meistersinger, thou set breath in steel; And it was thou who on the boldest heel Stood up and flung the span on even wing Of that great Bridge, our Myth, whereof I sing.

—Crane, (Harold) Hart

I span and Eve span A thread to bind the heart of man!

—Gilmore, Dame MaryJean ne¤  e Mary Jean Cameron

The world's a bubble; and the life of man Less than a span.

—Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

I know my life's a pain and but a span, I know my sense is mocked in every thing; And to conclude, I know myself a man, Which is a proud and yet a wretched thing.

—Davies, SirJohn

How right it seemed that he should reach the span Of comfortable years allowed to man! Splendid to eat and sleep and choose a wife, Safe with his wound, a citizen of life. He hobbled blithely through the garden gate, And thought: 'Thank God they had to amputate!'

—Sassoon, Siegfried Louvain

Browse dictionary entries near span

  1. Spamming/Scrolling
  2. Spammers
  3. spam over instant messaging
  4. spam
  5. spalpeen
  6. spallation
  7. spall
  8. spaldeen
  9. spake
  10. Spain
  1. span-new
  2. spanakopita
  3. spancel
  4. spandex
  5. spandrel
  6. spang
  7. spangle
  8. spangled
  9. Spanglish
  10. Spaniard