spanner

span·ner | \ ˈspa-nər

How to pronounce spanner (audio)

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Definition of spanner

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

Examples of spanner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Coronavirus did throw a spanner in the works: MedFin ceased operations in the first week of March as outpatient departments and operation theaters shut. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "India’s overburdened hospitals could actually benefit from more elective surgeries," 9 Aug. 2020 An influential woman is a boundary spanner, fluidly engaging in different contexts. — Ella Bell Smith, Fortune, "The missing element of Joe Biden’s VP search," 6 Aug. 2020 The virus has thrown an almighty spanner in the works. — The Economist, "Ninety percent of everything As the virus rages on shore, merchant seamen are stranded on board," 18 June 2020 However, the system itself may have thrown a spanner in the works. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "Two-thirds of H1-B visa applications this year are from Indians," 2 Apr. 2020 The design has been around for more than 30 years and the rifle comes with a small spanner wrench to assist with takedown and assembly. — Richard Mann, Field & Stream, "10 Takedown Camp Guns for Hunting and Survival," 25 Mar. 2020 The spread of the Covid-19 disease globally could throw a spanner in the works of Indians’ holiday plans. — Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, "India may have only three confirmed cases of coronavirus but Indians aren’t taking any chances," 17 Feb. 2020 All this has thrown a spanner into governments’ plans. — The Economist, "Finland has slashed homelessness; the rest of Europe is failing," 18 Dec. 2019 Analysts have warned that the virus outbreak could slash global growth this year, throwing a spanner in the works just as economies were showing signs of stabilizing after more than a year of slowing. — CBS News, "Coronavirus cases hit 20,000 as first death reported outside of China," 3 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spanner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

18 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Spanner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spanner. Accessed 22 Aug. 2020.

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