1. the distance between two points or the extent of something from end to end
2. a period of time
3. the distance between the tip of the thumb and little finger when the hand is fully extended

1. to extend across or over something
2. to last for a particular period of time

Examples

• The bridge has a span of 200 feet.
• Her career spanned three decades.
• The bird’s wingspan measures six feet from tip to tip.
• A short attention span makes studying difficult.
• The rainbow spanned the entire valley.
• His hand span was too small to reach the piano keys.
• The project will span several months.