English Reference
Noun

wingspan

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈwɪŋˌspæn/ UK /wˈɪŋspæn/ wing·span UK spelling wingspans

n.the distance from one wing to the other when a bird or an airplane has its wings fully spread out.

n.the distance between the tips of the two wings of a bird, insect, or aircraft when fully extended.


SIMPLE

The eagle has a wingspan of over two meters.

CONTEXTUAL

Engineers had to calculate the wingspan to ensure the aircraft could fit safely within the hangar doors.

COMPLEX

The fossilized remains of the ancient pterosaur suggest it possessed an impressive wingspan, potentially rivaling that of modern-day albatrosses in terms of aerodynamic efficiency.

They're actually quite small birds, about the size of a wood pigeon, but they look much bigger - they have a wingspan much bigger in comparison to most other birds to their body size.

BBC News· 26 Aug 2026

From wing + span.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated