Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

outspan

verb
Save Word

Definition of outspan

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

southern Africa : to unyoke or unharness a draft animal we outspanned, made our beds and then set about preparing supper — Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)

transitive verb

southern Africa : unyoke, unhitch

outspan

noun

Definition of outspan (Entry 2 of 2)

southern Africa
: a place publicly set aside for use in outspanning or resting animals

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for outspan

Verb

out entry 1 + span; translation of Afrikaans uitspan

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about outspan

Statistics for outspan

Cite this Entry

“Outspan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outspan. Accessed 10 Aug. 2020.

Comments on outspan

What made you want to look up outspan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

vivacious

Listen to the pronunciation of vivacious

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt painting a young scholar and his tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games