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

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, 10 Apr. 2026

His hands are 10¼ inches, his arms are 36¾ inches and his wingspan is almost 89 inches. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

Mbiya, who has a 7-foot-8 wingspan, scored four points two times — against Davidson and Kansas State. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026

His dramatic wingspan has tested Jokic in recent years unlike any other big man, forcing the three-time MVP to reimagine the parabola of his shot or stretch his release point farther from his body to create a cushion. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026

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)