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

Thompson, who many believed was snubbed from the All-Rookie teams, has a 7-foot wingspan, elite athleticism, and the kind of defensive bite that’s turned heads around the league. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

His physical tools stand with the best in this 2025 class, a bulky 6-foot-2 with a great wingspan. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025

At the combine, Paul weighed 222 pounds with arms just shy of 30 inches and a wingspan (76 1/4 inches) that was the smallest of any of the top linebackers. —Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Mike Penders — only 19 years old but standing almost 6ft 7in (200cm) with a formidable wingspan — will join Chelsea this summer. —Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 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)