span
verb
spanned; spanning
1
a
: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
b
: measure
2
a
: to extend across
a career that spanned four decades
b
: to form an arch over
a small bridge spanned the pond
c
: to place or construct a span over
3
: to be capable of expressing any element of under given operations
a set of vectors that spans a vector space
Synonyms of span
Examples of span in a Sentence
His career as a singer spanned three decades.
Their empire once spanned several continents.
Her academic interests span a wide variety of topics.
A bridge spans the river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Complementing the treatment menu is a sleek, state-of-the-art fitness center, where daily small-group classes span HIIT, boxing, TRX conditioning, and reformer Pilates.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
The property is situated on a lot spanning 6,500 square feet.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Where once had stood a dense canopy of three-hundred-year-old trees, forest cover spanning thousands of miles, gave way to charred stumps and bare earth—a landscape of wanton destruction.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Route 66 Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for span
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
The property is situated on a lot spanning 6,500 square feet.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Where once had stood a dense canopy of three-hundred-year-old trees, forest cover spanning thousands of miles, gave way to charred stumps and bare earth—a landscape of wanton destruction.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Route 66 Also called The Mother Road, Route 66 stretches almost 2,500 miles and spans eight states, beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for span
Cite this Entry
“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/span. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
span
1 of 3 noun
1
: the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand
also
: an English unit of length equal to 9 inches (about 22.9 centimeters)
2
a
: a limited portion of time
span of life
b
: the spread (as of an arch) from one support to another
c
: the portion supported to form a span
span
2 of 3 verb
spanned; spanning
1
a
: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
2
a
: to reach or extend across
a bridge spans the river
a career that spans four decades
b
: to place or construct a span over
span
3 of 3 noun
: a pair of animals (as mules) driven together
Etymology
Old English spann "distance measured by the outstretched hand"
from Dutch span "a pair of animals driven together," derived from earlier spannen "to hitch up"
Medical Definition
span
noun1
: an extent of distance or of time
especially
: lifespan
2
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