1
: the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand
also
: an English unit of length equal to nine inches (22.9 centimeters)
2
: an extent, stretch, reach, or spread between two limits: such as
a
: a limited space (as of time)
especially
: an individual's lifetime
b
: the spread or extent between abutments or supports (as of a bridge)
also
: a portion thus supported
c
: the maximum distance laterally from tip to tip of an airplane
spanned; spanning
1
a
: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
b
: measure
2
a
: to extend across
a career that spanned four decades
b
: to form an arch over
a small bridge spanned the pond
c
: to place or construct a span over
3
: to be capable of expressing any element of under given operations
a set of vectors that spans a vector space
: a pair of animals (such as mules) usually matched in appearance and action and driven together
Examples of span in a Sentence
Verb
His career as a singer spanned three decades.
Their empire once spanned several continents.
Her academic interests span a wide variety of topics.
A bridge spans the river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The price tag ballooned as Cruise and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie (who helmed the past three entries as well) worked on the film through COVID protocols, two Hollywood strikes and inflation increases spanning a years-long production.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 May 2025
Tony East, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Cornell is seeking its first championship since 1977, with five runner-up performances over that span, including a trip to the final in 2022.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for span
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show current usage.
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Verb
While bustling cities abound across the region, visitors are always just a short drive away from an oasis of calm, with options spanning from pristine beaches to craggy caves to tropical rainforests that are rife with native wildlife.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The price tag ballooned as Cruise and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie (who helmed the past three entries as well) worked on the film through COVID protocols, two Hollywood strikes and inflation increases spanning a years-long production.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 May 2025
Noun
Miles McBride scored seven points in 71 seconds, and the Pacers didn’t get a shot on the rim in that span.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Cornell is seeking its first championship since 1977, with five runner-up performances over that span, including a trip to the final in 2022.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for span
Cite this Entry
“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/span. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
span
1 of 3 noun1
: the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand
also
: an English unit of length equal to 9 inches (about 22.9 centimeters)
2
a
: a limited portion of time
span of life
b
: the spread (as of an arch) from one support to another
c
: the portion supported to form a span
span
2 of 3 verb
spanned; spanning
1
a
: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
2
a
: to reach or extend across
a bridge spans the river
a career that spans four decades
b
: to place or construct a span over
span
3 of 3 noun
: a pair of animals (as mules) driven together
Etymology
Noun
Old English spann "distance measured by the outstretched hand"
Noun
from Dutch span "a pair of animals driven together," derived from earlier spannen "to hitch up"
Medical Definition
span
noun1
: an extent of distance or of time
especially
: life span
2
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