as in measures
to find out the size, extent, or amount of
tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spans
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
The wetland spans about 428,000 hectares (1,600 square miles) of lagoons, mangroves and marshes — roughly the size of Los Angeles — and has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2000.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
The Spanish investigation analyzes the unlikely choice of a round-the-world boat trip to deliver a cargo of two cranes, 100 empty containers and two large manhole covers, sailing from one Russian port to another, despite the extensive rail network that spans the country.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Open Streets in Philly's West Walnut section is a program that spans seven Sundays in the spring, ending on May 17.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The film, which spans three timelines — 1932, 1937, and 2017 — is produced by the Almodóvar brothers’ El Deseo and boasts an inspired international cast.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
The rest of the former policy — which spans about five pages long and addresses probationary periods, progressive discipline, appeals, hearings and more — was cut out on Tuesday night after the Board of Managers unanimously voted to delete the language.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
The building itself spans about 3,700 sq m (40,000 sq ft) and replaces an older facility from 1949 that the neighborhood has long outgrown, offering space for a gymnasium, a childcare center, a basketball court, community gathering spots, and various multipurpose rooms.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026
Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Verb
The menu spans several regions—Thai curries, Chinese dim sum, Japanese sushi—and the restaurant tends to attract both hotel guests and regular Cairo diners who come specifically for it.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
The wetland spans about 428,000 hectares (1,600 square miles) of lagoons, mangroves and marshes — roughly the size of Los Angeles — and has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2000.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
The Spanish investigation analyzes the unlikely choice of a round-the-world boat trip to deliver a cargo of two cranes, 100 empty containers and two large manhole covers, sailing from one Russian port to another, despite the extensive rail network that spans the country.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Open Streets in Philly's West Walnut section is a program that spans seven Sundays in the spring, ending on May 17.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The film, which spans three timelines — 1932, 1937, and 2017 — is produced by the Almodóvar brothers’ El Deseo and boasts an inspired international cast.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
The rest of the former policy — which spans about five pages long and addresses probationary periods, progressive discipline, appeals, hearings and more — was cut out on Tuesday night after the Board of Managers unanimously voted to delete the language.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
The building itself spans about 3,700 sq m (40,000 sq ft) and replaces an older facility from 1949 that the neighborhood has long outgrown, offering space for a gymnasium, a childcare center, a basketball court, community gathering spots, and various multipurpose rooms.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026
Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spans
Verb
-
The device measures force, pressure, and twisting in every direction using light instead of electronics.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
-
Instead, Fonseca measures progress by steady improvement.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The Oakton recruit continued his strong play Monday, producing a pair of hits and three RBIs to lead the host Vikings to an 11-4 win over Brother Rice in Burbank that clinched the Catholic League Blue title.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2026
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The pair, who have been identified only as a couple by authorities, were part of a group of 18 Americans evacuated from the cruise ship on Monday.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Several stock market gauges around the world — from the US to Taiwan — have now erased all their losses since the start of the Iran war, as financial markets price in a possible path to peace.—
Pratigya Vajpayee,
Bloomberg,
15 Apr. 2026
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Big Deal New research by Bain & Company gauges CFOs' AI spending plans.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Rival ranch owner Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening) and her family won’t make things easy, but Rip and Beth remain one of the toughest couples on television.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Contributions are not tax-deductible, and this year can be made by couples filing jointly with taxable income up to $242,000 ($153,000 for singles) and are limited to $7,500 a year ($8,600 for those 50 and older).—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Ten years ago, on Mother’s Day, Fiona Galvin reported her 17-year-old daughter missing.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Over the past 10 years, Quinn has seen an increase in challenging behavior and more emotions among her 6- and 7-year-olds, with a particular ramp-up since the pandemic.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the robot weighs around 220 pounds (100kg) and has 4 wheels to move across the rough Lunar surface.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
Kamiya stands about 5-foot-6, weighs about 162 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
After Minnesota killed the first penalty of the game — an accomplishment of note with the way the Wild penalty kill was torched in the first two games — Kaprizov opened the scoring with the teams skating 4-on-4, completing a speedy rush to the net after a set-up pass from Faber.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
-
The teams that Weltman has constructed over the past nine years have, in my view, consistently lacked good 3-point shooting or an athletic presence at center.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
An infinity-edge pool stretches toward the horizon, while expansive Ipe wood decks, flamed granite terraces, and an outdoor kitchen frame sweeping bay views.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
-
Naz Reid took the fateful elbow to the neck from a frustrated Wembanyama and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds to help the Timberwolves finish strong after some shaky stretches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spans. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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