- span
- [[t]spæ̱n[/t]]
spans, spanning, spanned1) N-COUNT: usu supp N A span is the period of time between two dates or events during which something exists, functions, or happens.
The batteries had a life span of six hours...
Gradually the time span between sessions will increase.
2) N-COUNT: usu supp N Your concentration span or your attention span is the length of time you are able to concentrate on something or be interested in it.His ability to absorb information was astonishing, but his concentration span was short...
Young children have a limited attention span and can't concentrate on one activity for very long.
3) VERB: no passive If something spans a long period of time, it lasts throughout that period of time or relates to that whole period of time.[V n] His professional career spanned 16 years...
[V n] The film, spanning almost a quarter-century, tells the story of Henry Hill...
Lining a corridor is a wall of photographs spanning his rugby days.
[V n] Bernstein's compositions spanned all aspects of music, from symphonies to musicals.
[V n] ...a remarkable man whose interests spanned almost every aspect of nature.
5) N-COUNT: usu with supp The span of something that extends or is spread out sideways is the total width of it from one end to the other.It is a very pretty butterfly, with a 2 inch wing span...
It may be that you are unaware of where your hip joint is; it is not at the waist but a good hand span below it.
6) VERB A bridge or other structure that spans something such as a river or a valley stretches right across it.[V n] Travellers get from one side to the other by walking across a footbridge that spans a little stream.
[V n] ...the humped iron bridge spanning the railway...
[V n] Architects tell their clients that floors can span 100 metres without any visible means of support.
7) → See also spick and span
English dictionary. 2008.
