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

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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
Considering Banks’ filmography spans 50 years and includes Breaking Bad’s assortment of highly celebrated villains, Dalton knew the weight of such a statement. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 The list spans the full textile value chain, from raw fiber to finished product. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Noun
Not since the 1820s has there been as many different prime ministers within the span of 10 years. — Garret Martin, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 But in that span, its stock broke free, doubling from $170 in Q1 of 2024 to today’s $350. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 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
  • If the answer swings on how the question was phrased, the model is not measuring anything about the match.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In its simplest form, scientists can put a chunk of soil in a mason jar, measure how much gas is released over time, then extrapolate a total figure.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • Sun, surf, and sand calls for a pair of sandals that slip on and off easily—you’ll be mostly barefoot, anyway.
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Seth missed and walked into a pair of spears, but there was still no referee.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of pair
Noun
  • The rare bilateral intervention in Japan’s currency market was designed to prop up the yen from its 40-year low against the dollar.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The left-handed-hitting first baseman has hit 13 of his homers against righties this year.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of year
Verb
  • Preparation included meetings with Jewish community leaders in New York to gauge their feelings, the museum said, confirming a report in The New York Times.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman all but confirmed Wednesday that the team would be in contact with the Tigers to gauge their asking price for reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of gauge
Noun
  • The couple seeks out new additions from antique dealers, private sellers and auctions.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Then in August 2021, Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans, so the couple brought Family Meal back at a time when many were not just without food, but water and electricity.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of couple
Noun
  • Firepits flanked by living walls create a lovely space to relax and enjoy coastal breezes with the chatter of sea lions in the distance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • More than 50 historical buildings are being restored to create retail and residential spaces in one of Atlanta’s most ambitious downtown projects.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of space
Verb
  • Every prompt, response, and autonomous agent interaction consumes tokens, and as AI systems become more sophisticated, usage can scale from thousands to millions—or even trillions—of tokens.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • Over the course of nearly 40 years, SeriousFun has scaled up to become a 21st-century charity, and now serve children with rare diseases.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 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

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spalls
span
spangle
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Cite this Entry

“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/span. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on span

Nglish: Translation of span for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about span

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