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, 19 Mar. 2026

New York shot just 5 of 21 from 3-point territory in the first half, and the rangy Leons and Payton II were pests in the zone and used their long wingspan to create problems. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

In the meantime, Jones was stranded on an island of his own making Saturday, exasperated by another difficult game-winning shot that his wingspan was somehow helpless to affect on its own. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

At 6-foot-5 with a 6-8 wingspan, Hayes has exceptional size and length for the point guard position. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 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)