wingspan

noun

wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan How to pronounce wingspan (audio)
: the distance from the tip of one of a pair of wings to that of the other
also : span sense 2c

Examples of wingspan in a Sentence

The hawk has a wingspan of about three feet. a plane with a 200-foot wingspan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wembanyama’s 7-foot-4 frame and 8-foot wingspan caused some early problems for Boston. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 The garden’s Rainforest Conservatory has been transformed into a habitat for thousands of butterflies from around the world, including the electric-blue Instagram star Blue Morpho and the massive Atlas moth, whose wingspan can reach nearly a foot across. Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026 The giant birds — their wingspans can stretch to more than nine feet — are also held sacred or culturally significant by Indigenous peoples throughout their habitat. Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026 The Crean Lutheran community responded by wrapping its arms around the teenager with the 7-foot-5 wingspan. Diamond Leung, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wingspan

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wingspan was circa 1917

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Cite this Entry

“Wingspan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wingspan. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

wingspan

noun
wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan How to pronounce wingspan (audio)
: the distance between the tips of a pair of wings (as of a bird or an airplane)

More from Merriam-Webster on wingspan

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