spanner

noun

span·​ner ˈspa-nər 

1

chiefly British : wrench

2

: a wrench that has a hole, projection, or hook at one or both ends of the head for engaging with a corresponding device on the object that is to be turned

Illustration of spanner

• spanner 2

Examples of spanner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rowan Atkinson plays a Ninth Doctor ready to hang up his TARDIS keys and marry his companion (Julia Sawalha), when the Master (a scenery-chewing Jonathan Pryce) and the Daleks throw a spanner in the works. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 13 Dec. 2025

So long as nothing throws a spanner in the works, looks like we’re all set for a happy holiday season. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

Things are going smoothly for Serbia thus far in qualifying, even if an early draw away to Albania has thrown a spanner in the works of sorts. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025

These include a Philips screwdriver; 4-, 5- and 7-mm spanner wrench holes; a quarter-inch bit driver hole; a SIM card removal tool; and a file. —New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German, instrument for winding springs, from spannen to stretch; akin to Middle Dutch spannen to stretch — more at span

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spanner

• put/throw a spanner in the works

Rhymes for spanner

• banner
• branner
• canner
• fanner
• kanner
• manner
• manor
• planner
• scanner
• tanner

Kids Definition

spanner

noun

span·​ner ˈspan-ər 

chiefly British

: wrench entry 2 sense 2