span
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1span
\ˈspan\2span
nounDefinition of SPAN
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: 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
Origin of SPAN
Middle English, from Old English spann; akin to Old High German spanna span, Middle Dutch spannen to stretch, hitch up
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Architecture Terms
3span
transitive verbspannedspan·ning
Definition of SPAN
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>
Examples of SPAN
- 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.
First Known Use of SPAN
1560
4span
nounDefinition of SPAN
: a pair of animals (as mules) usually matched in appearance and action and driven together
Origin of SPAN
Dutch, from Middle Dutch, from spannen to hitch up
First Known Use: 1769
span
noun \ˈspan\ (Medical Dictionary)Learn More About SPAN
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