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

The major spanner in the works of bringing Herta to Cadillac is that the American does not currently have enough points for his FIA Super Licence. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

This is an especially breezy grid, with no ambiguous spanners or any obscure phrasing. —Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025

Then episode seven does kind of throw a spanner in the works because finally you are introduced to what Mark had on the outside world, which feels meaningful too. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2025

Join 11 others in the comments View Comments But Thursday’s scathing commentary from a newspaper closely aligned with the ruling Communist Party could throw a spanner in the works. —Juliana Liu, CNN, 14 Mar. 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