1
: the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand
also : an English unit of length equal to nine inches (22.9 centimeters)
2
: an extent, stretch, reach, or spread between two limits: such as
a
: a limited space (as of time)
especially : an individual's lifetime
b
: the spread or extent between abutments or supports (as of a bridge)
also : a portion thus supported
c
: the maximum distance laterally from tip to tip of an airplane
spanned; spanning
1
a
: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
b
: measure
2
a
: to extend across
a career that spanned four decades
b
: to form an arch over
a small bridge spanned the pond
c
: to place or construct a span over
3
: to be capable of expressing any element of under given operations
a set of vectors that spans a vector space
: a pair of animals (such as mules) usually matched in appearance and action and driven together
Synonyms of span
Examples of span in a Sentence
Verb His career as a singer spanned three decades. Their empire once spanned several continents. Her academic interests span a wide variety of topics. A bridge spans the river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 Last Sunday, Zamiqua Miller, 33, died in NYPD custody in Brooklyn Central Booking after two trips to the hospital within a 24-hour span. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
Chase Jordan april 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 Washes span dark to light indigo with lighter washes with fading for a vintage look. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for span
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Police also handed out 100 traffic citations over the three-day span, with 49 issued by Tybee Island officers and 51 by state troopers. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 Last Sunday, Zamiqua Miller, 33, died in NYPD custody in Brooklyn Central Booking after two trips to the hospital within a 24-hour span. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
The new roles created by this expansion will span the commercial, investment, private and consumer banking sectors, supporting clients both locally and globally, according to the bank. —Chase Jordan april 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 Washes span dark to light indigo with lighter washes with fading for a vintage look. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for span
Cite this Entry
“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/span. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
span
1 of 3 noun
1
: the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand
also : an English unit of length equal to 9 inches (about 22.9 centimeters)
2
a
: a limited portion of time
span of life
b
: the spread (as of an arch) from one support to another
c
: the portion supported to form a span
span
2 of 3 verb
spanned; spanning
1
a
: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
2
a
: to reach or extend across
a bridge spans the river
a career that spans four decades
b
: to place or construct a span over
span
3 of 3 noun
: a pair of animals (as mules) driven together
Etymology
Noun
Old English spann "distance measured by the outstretched hand"
Noun
from Dutch span "a pair of animals driven together," derived from earlier spannen "to hitch up"
Medical Definition
span
noun
1
: an extent of distance or of time
especially : lifespan
2
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