span 1 of 2

verb

Definition of spannext
as in to measure
to find out the size, extent, or amount of tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

span

2 of 2

noun

1
as in pair

Related Words
2
as in year

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of span
Verb
Slouchy top-handle bags spanned price points, with Cos’ Trullo Flap at top two and Balenciaga’s Rodeo Bag at the eighth spot. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 Over a career spanning six decades, Medak directed 27 feature films, moving between psychological horror, black comedy and crime dramas. — Anna Tingley, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
During that span, Davis and his firms — Cantey Hanger and Jackson Walker — billed Grapevine-Colleyville in excess of $330,000. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026 In addition to working to take AMC Global to new heights, Juvelis also had profound experiences of her lifetime during her span at the company. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for span
Recent Examples of Synonyms for span
  1. measure
  2. pair
  3. year
  4. gauge
  5. couple
  6. space
  7. scale
  8. yoke
Verb
  • The system uses implanted 3-mm magnets to measure muscle length and movement speed through sensors placed on the skin.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The bag in question is a custom creation by independent designer Dana Toder, measuring a whopping one meter long and 60 centimeters high.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • While running shoes generally can have a lifespan between 300 to 500 miles, some experts encourage runners to rotate a couple of pairs of shoes to get the most out of them.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The pair have a natural chemistry, which isn’t a surprise after seeing their work on Fleabag.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of pair
Noun
  • Historic amounts of money have flowed into this year's midterm elections.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opened at the end of September in South Los Angeles, after a more than eight-year construction process and failed attempts by the Star Wars creator who funded it to site it in Chicago or San Francisco.
    — Nicholas Clairmont, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of year
Verb
  • Most of the helicopter was consumed by fire after the crash, so no meaningful data could be gleaned from the majority of the cockpit gauges, according to the report.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The calls and letters demanding payment may become more frequent, the language can become more urgent and the consequences of not paying can be harder to gauge.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of gauge
Noun
  • While Kimberly held separate contracts to coach school administrators, the couple’s latest account confirms SYDKIMYL was simultaneously receiving CMS funding specifically for Raki’s services.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Bregman overcame a tough start to the season with shaky defense the first couple of weeks.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of couple
Noun
  • These stages require additional equipment, cables, and space.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There are also sensory rooms, gyms, outdoor spaces and windows for natural light.
    — Cindy Hsu, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of space
Verb
  • Setting a gift cap, agreeing on spending limits with relatives or scaling back hosting are all ways households can manage holiday expenses, in line with the APA’s advice to make a financial plan and reduce spending when necessary.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike the typical, Western beauty origin story — where an entrepreneur launches a specialized startup and scales through venture capital — Fas does not have a single founder.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of scale
Noun
  • The Roadster features a steer-by-wire yoke that electronically transmits steering inputs.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Utilizing advanced digital steer-by-wire technology, this rectangular yoke replaces a mechanical steering column completely with precise electronic actuators.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of yoke

Phrases Containing span

Browse Nearby Words

spalls
span
spangle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/span. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on span

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about span

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulsome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All