wingspan

noun

wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan 

: 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

Wiry big Caleb Wilson is a five-star recruit with a 7-foot wingspan and passing chops. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

The Heat is willing to remain patient with Ware, in part because his potential is tantalizing as an athletic 7-footer with a 7-foot-5 wingspan who also has the ability to knock down threes. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025

Solar drone that flies for 90 days Skydweller’s aircraft are built from lightweight carbon fiber and feature a wingspan comparable to a Boeing 747. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025

At 8-months-old, Jojo delights in his red dragon costume and grabs as far as his tiny wingspan allows. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wingspan

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• crankpin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman

Kids Definition

wingspan

noun

wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan 

: the distance between the tips of a pair of wings (as of a bird or an airplane)