WordGarden.iospan
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈæn/
US
- /ˈspæn/
Meanings
Noun
the distance or full extent from one side or end to the other
the amount of time something lasts
the section or distance between supports in a bridge or similar structure
Verb
to stretch or extend across something from one side to the other
to continue through or cover a period of time
Beyond the definition
Imagine a bridge reaching from one side of a river to the other. That idea of reaching across is at the heart of span. It can describe distance, as in the part of a bridge between two supports. It can also describe time, as in a career that spanned three decades. Sometimes it shows range or reach, like a hand span on a piano or an influence that spans generations. In simple terms, it is about how far something stretches across space, time, or a group of things.
The word "span" describes the extent or range of something—whether it's physical distance, a period of time, or the scope of an idea. Originally, the word referred to a specific unit of measure based on the distance between the tips of a person's outstretched thumb and little finger. That fundamental sense of reach still underlies its meaning today.
You'll often encounter "span" when talking about architecture or engineering: "The roof has a wide span," referring to how far it stretches between its supports. However, it's equally common in discussions of time: "The project will span six months." This indicates that the project will last for that duration, covering that entire period from start to finish.
"Span" also describes the breadth of something abstract. For example, "The scope of his research spanned several disciplines," meaning he explored many different fields of study. Or, "Her influence spans generations," suggesting her impact has lasted a long time and affected many people over the years. We also use the word frequently to describe focus, specifically in the phrase "attention span," which refers to how long a person can concentrate on a single thing.
So, whether you're describing the length of a bridge, the duration of an event, or the breadth of someone's influence—if something extends across a distance, time, or range, it has a span.
Examples
- 1
Time period
The project was completed over a span of six months.
- 2
Career length
Her teaching career spanned more than thirty years.
- 3
Bridge
The bridge spans the river just outside town.
- 4
Exhibition range
The exhibition spans everything from ancient pottery to modern design.
- Patternspan from A to B
include a wide range between two points
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Attention
Children usually have a shorter attention span than adults.
- 6
Story scope
The novel spans three generations of the same family.
- 7
Physical distance
We need a shelf long enough to span the space between the two windows.
- 8
Discussion topics
The discussion spanned a wide range of topics.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- spannounverbadjective
Forms
- spanning-ing formverbnounadjective
- spanspluralnounverbadjective
- spannedpast tenseverbnounadjective