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span

v. · n.
US //ˈspæn// UK //spˈæn// span
  1. 1 to reach across space (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to stretch across a distance from one side to the other.

    to extend across the distance between two points or supports; used transitively with a direct object.

    Example

    The new bridge will span the river, connecting the two small towns for the first time.

    Example

    The massive suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate strait, enduring extreme winds and tidal currents while facilitating thousands of daily commutes.
  2. 2 to reach across time (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to last for a specific period of time.

    to extend through or cover a specific duration or historical period.

    Example

    Her career as a teacher spanned forty years and three different schools.

    Example

    The professor's research spans several decades, documenting the gradual shift in local dialects from the post-war era to the digital age.
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  1. 3 length of time (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the amount of time that something lasts.

    the full extent or duration of a period, especially regarding a human life or attention.

    Example

    The average life span of a domestic cat is about fifteen years.

    Example

    Modern digital interfaces are often criticised for reducing the average attention span of younger users who are accustomed to rapid content switching.
  2. 4 distance between supports (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Architecture

    the distance between two supports of a structure, like a bridge or a roof.

    the distance or extent between the abutments or supports of an arch, beam, or bridge.

    Example

    The central span of the bridge is the longest part of the structure.

    Example

    Engineers had to calculate the maximum load for the sixty-metre span to ensure the roof would not collapse under heavy snowfall.
  3. 5 width of wings (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other.

    the maximum extent across the wings of a bird or aircraft.

    Example

    The eagle has a very wide span, which helps it glide for long distances.

    Example

    The aircraft's impressive wing span allows for greater lift at lower speeds, though it complicates hangar storage at smaller regional airports.
  4. 6 hand measurement (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    the distance from the end of your thumb to the end of your little finger when your hand is open wide.

    an informal unit of linear measure based on the distance between the tips of the thumb and the little finger of an outstretched hand.

    Example

    In the old days, people used the span of their hand to measure small objects.

    Example

    The carpenter estimated the width of the timber using a span, a traditional method that predates the standardisation of the metric system.
    • handspan
  5. 7 linear combinations (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Math

    in math, all the points you can reach by combining a set of directions.

    the set of all possible linear combinations of a given set of vectors.

    Example

    The teacher asked us to find the span of the two vectors on the graph.

    Example

    In linear algebra, determining whether a specific vector lies within the span of a given set is fundamental to solving systems of equations.
    • linear span
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