Span Definition
spăn
spanned, spanning, spans
noun
spans
The full amount or extent between any two limits.
Webster's New World
The distance between the tips of the wings of an airplane.
American Heritage
A unit of linear measure equal to nine inches: originally based on the distance between the tips of a man's extended thumb and little finger.
Webster's New World
The distance between ends or supports.
The span of an arch.
Webster's New World
A part between two supports.
A bridge of four spans.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
verb
spanned, spanning, spans
To measure, esp. by the hand with the thumb and little finger extended.
Webster's New World
To encircle with the hand or hands, in or as in measuring.
Webster's New World
To extend, stretch, reach, or pass over or across.
The bridge that spans the river.
Webster's New World
To measure in spans.
American Heritage
To furnish with something that extends or stretches over.
To span an aisle with an arch.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
abbreviation
Spaniard.
Webster's New World
Spanish.
Webster's New World
Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network.
Wiktionary
(computing) Switched Port Analyzer, a Cisco technology.
Wiktionary
Origin of Span
-
Middle English unit of measurement from Old English spann (s)pen- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Dutch from spannen to harness from Middle Dutch (s)pen- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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