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
This year, on Sunday, November 1, over 60,000 runners are expected to take part in the marathon, which follows a path that spans all five boroughs, starting on Staten Island and finishing in Central Park. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026 The project spans 10,683 hectares (about 26,400 acres) and is added to the US government’s FAST-41 Transparency Dashboard to improve oversight of federal permitting reviews. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2026 Brogan estimated Poetry in Motion spans 5,500 posters and 22,000 screens, so the reach is unprecedented (and bound to reach an ex or two). — James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 Her influence spans Latin America, with her strategic litigation setting the blueprint for the Green Wave (Marea Verde) feminist movement, which began in Argentina and rippled across the region. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 Set on over half an acre along Linda Flora Drive and embracing a Brutalist aesthetic, the mansion spans nearly 11,000 square feet. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2026 Still, the announcement says the companies are making headway, thanks in part to Anduril already working on domestic manufacturing for its controversial military tech, which spans drones and surveillance towers. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Desdot, who takes over from Tara Saunders as chair of the games committee, is a studio director with over 25 years’ industry experience; her work spans some of the biggest names in games, including Sony and Xbox. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 The space, which spans more than 5,000 square feet, showcases the seasonal collections including eveningwear, bags, fine jewelry and footwear. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spans
Verb
  • It’s considered the gold standard in assessments and is the only common yardstick that measures student learning across the country.
    — Lamar Alexander, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Overall, two-thirds of patients did better on a frailty score that measures grip strength, chair stands, and balancing.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Lipa forwent the softer runway styling, and toughened up the ladylike silhouette with a pair of towering, lace-up black leather knee-high boots by Le Silla.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • European champions Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won the pairs event despite a heavy fall for Metelkina on a throw triple loop.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 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
  • Clarity, in the meantime, gauges whether or not the diamond has internal imperfections or external flaws, and carat weight grants insight on the actual metric weight of the diamond.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Tens of thousands of same-sex couples have built their lives here in Virginia, creating homes, raising children, and contributing to their communities.
    — Virginia Mercury, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Big families sit right next to groups of girlfriends and couples on date nights.
    — Jessica Jungbauer, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sometimes the family stayed in their car, but the girls were also left for long stretches with various friends of their mom’s.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Larger projects, like resurfacing long stretches of major streets, take more planning and coordination with the city.
    — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Anello has gray hair and brown eyes, is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Morley is white, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Here are the Week 10 Fort Worth-area high school football scores, including teams from area districts.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Kenya’s own top-flight football league and national teams, for instance, have been riddled with challenges ranging from leadership wrangles to payment delays.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spans. Accessed 31 Oct. 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