span 1 of 2

verb

Definition of spannext
as in to measure
to find out the size, extent, or amount of tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

span

2 of 2

noun

1
as in pair

Related Words
2
as in year

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of span
Verb
The front line spans more than 600 miles, and its Ukrainian defenders include a dizzying array of units from various branches of the military. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 The Ashaninka territory spans the Brazil-Peru border in the western Amazon. — ABC News, 24 July 2026
Noun
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which received roughly 10% fewer complaints over than span, has sustained six racial bias allegations against deputies. — Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Condo association insurance premiums rose to $462,000 by the end of 2024, up from $175,000 three years earlier, while individual homeowners’ premiums climbed 44% over the same span. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for span
Recent Examples of Synonyms for span
  1. measure
  2. pair
  3. year
  4. gauge
  5. couple
  6. space
  7. scale
  8. yoke
Verb
  • Rather than rushing from port to port, Explora Journeys was designed around the idea that luxury is measured by space, time, and thoughtful experiences.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026
  • The pumps are designed with a delicate almond toe, a conservative high-cut vamp, and a sensible heel, measuring around three inches.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • The runner-up finish marked Gogel’s best career result on the PGA Champions Tour, surpassing a pair of third-place finishes (2026 Dick’s Open; 2025 Constellation Furyk and Friends).
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • The outdoorsy traveler hiking the gorges in Crete or the trails in Andros should bring a pair of sturdy shoes, a hat for sun protection, and tons of SPF.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 27 July 2026
Definition of pair
Noun
  • Nuñez, of the fire department, said one patient, a 40-year-old woman with minor injuries, declined to be taken to a hospital.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 27 July 2026
  • The research firm projects that CXMT will generate over $50 billion in sales this year.
    — Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of year
Verb
  • The extent of the damage at the four warehouses is hard to gauge.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • These cases allow each side to test the strengths of their arguments and gauge how similar claims might play out.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of gauge
Noun
  • One couple has returned year after year, exploring into areas that tourists rarely see.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
  • Taiwan has also seen divorces increase among long-married couples, according to government data.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Definition of couple
Noun
  • The Sanctuary Club is an exclusive, adults-only space on the Star Princess available to passengers in Sanctuary Collection staterooms.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
  • One famous local on the celebrity wall is aviation pioneer Wally Funk, the oldest woman to travel to space.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of space
Verb
  • The data center business alone has scaled something like 13 times since fiscal year 2023, when total company revenue was just $27 billion!
    — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 22 July 2026
  • In the clip, George takes part in a number of hobbies, including cricket, scaling rocks, and hanging out with one of the family dogs.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026
Definition of scale
Noun
  • Forest Service officials, their patience having long evaporated, arrived in force, handcuffing and hauling the occupiers out by the yokes of their flannels, then bulldozing the camp.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Why, after all, did the feudal lords of the South, loyal to Church and throne, throw off the royal yoke to join the Revolution?
    — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of yoke

Phrases Containing span

Browse Nearby Words

spalls
span
spangle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/span. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on span

Nglish: Translation of span for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about span

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kludge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All