span

/spæn/

Say it: SPAN

1. noun The full extent of something from one end to the other.
The main span of the bridge is over a mile long.
2. verb To extend from one side of something to the other.
A new highway will span the entire state.
3. noun A length of time.
He accomplished a great deal in a short span of time.
4. verb To last or continue for a particular period.
Her career in film spanned more than fifty years.

📖 Seen in the wild

The bridge was designed to span the wide river, connecting the two towns.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ span in a sentence

The average human life span has increased dramatically over the last century.
His interests are broad, spanning everything from astrophysics to ancient history.
In the span of a single afternoon, they had hiked to the summit and back.
A simple wooden footbridge spanned the creek.
The documentary series spans the entire history of jazz music.
What is the typical attention span of a toddler?
The company's influence spans the globe.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

extent stretch duration cross reach length period cover

extent · suggests a more abstract or less precisely measured area or scope.

stretch · often implies a continuous, unbroken length of space or time.

duration · refers specifically to a length of time, not distance.

cross · as a verb, implies movement from one side to the other, whereas span implies static existence across something.

Opposites: point, instant, moment

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'span' comes from an Old English term for the distance between the tip of the thumb and the little finger on an outstretched hand, a practical unit of measurement. This original sense of a measured stretch or extent is the direct ancestor of all its modern meanings, whether applied to the length of a bridge, a period of time, or the scope of a career.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

life spanattention spantime spanspan the globespan the gapspan generations

Span is a concise and versatile word for describing the full range of something, from physical distance to time to abstract scope. It emphasizes the entirety of the thing being measured, from its beginning to its end. The word is equally at home in technical contexts ('the wingspan of an aircraft') and everyday conversation ('a short attention span'), making it a reliable choice in almost any situation.

💬 Quick answers

What does span mean?

Span refers to the full extent of something, either in physical distance (like the length of a bridge) or in time (like a career). As a verb, it means to extend across that distance or time.

What's the difference between span and duration?

Duration almost exclusively refers to a length of time. Span is more versatile; it can refer to time (a life span) but also to physical distance or scope (the span of a bridge, a career that spans many fields).

What is an attention span?

An attention span is the length of time a person can concentrate on a single task or activity without becoming distracted.

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