spans 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of span

spans

2 of 2

noun

plural of span

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 spans
Verb
The story spans 1955 to 1971, tracing the lead-up to R&AW’s formation and its first mission during the 1971 war against Pakistan. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 Feldman hopes the exhibition, which spans fine-line drawings of entangled lovers and radiant topographical tapestries, will complicate that familiar account. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Our cult of excellence spans through centuries and is well embodied by people like Leonardo da Vinci, Guglielmo Marconi, Enrico Fermi and countless other pioneers who changed the world with their talent. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 The new Vista Point Trail, just beneath the Golden Gate Bridge North Vista Point, spans about 1,600 feet. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 The category spans premium wellness brands like HigherDOSE, recovery-tech labels and mass retail entrants at Sephora, Best Buy and Target. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 The four-story hotel features 88 studios, 12 lofts and six suites, including a signature suite that spans 2,250 square feet. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026 Located within a contemporary development less than 500 feet from the beach, the modern pad spans almost 5,000 square feet, with five bedrooms and six bathrooms spread across three floors. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026 Industries That Don’t Talk to Each Other Oiaknin’s portfolio spans construction, advanced manufacturing, technology, and business services. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spans
Verb
  • At its core, AIV is a 0 to 100 index that measures how a brand is presented in the answers AI assistants give consumers.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than physically touching the molecule, the microscope measures interactions between the probe and the material to image its structure.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The relationship quickly became serious and highly visible, with the pair making public appearances and Rodgers openly discussing their life together.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Britain also advanced on Sunday, with doubles pair Henry Patten and Neal Skupski beating Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo 6-3, 6-4 to secure a 3-0 win over Ecuador.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 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
  • Another neat trick this TV has up its sleeve is an AI light sensor that gauges the room's ambient light and automatically adjusts the screen brightness to it.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • San Diego earned a 78 out of 100 Redfin Compete Score, which gauges how competitive a market is.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • Next week, all 14 of our remaining couples will be dancing on the same night — that’s when the competition really starts.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The list of crime-solving couples on page and screen is long, but Tommy and Tuppence are arguably the first, preceding Nick and Nora Charles by more than a decade.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Banner Elk is ideally located near some of the most stunning stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Expect large, sunny stretches of clothing-optional beaches drawing swimmers and sun-bathers alike.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Reporter Melissa Stark said the brace weighs less than a pound and is made of magnesium, instead of titanium.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The find eclipses the previous record holder — a roughly 14-pound Terslev hoard — and weighs nearly three times as much.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • These two teams are pretty evenly matched, but give the Cowboys with their receivers a slight edge in their home opener.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • District play for many Texas high school football teams starts Thursday or Friday.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spans. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster