/ spæn; NAmE / noun , verb , adjective
■ noun
1.
the length of time that sth lasts or is able to continue :
I worked with him over a span of six years.
The project must be completed within a specific time span .
Small children have a short attention span .
—see also lifespan
2.
span (of sth) a range or variety of sth :
Managers have a wide span of control.
These forests cover a broad span of latitudes.
3.
the part of a bridge or an arch between one vertical support and another :
The bridge crosses the river in a single span.
4.
the width of sth from one side to the other :
The kite has a span of 1.5 metres.
—see also wingspan
■ verb ( -nn- ) [ vn ]
1.
to last all through a period of time or to cover the whole of it :
His acting career spanned 55 years.
Family photos spanning five generations were stolen.
2.
to include a large area or a lot of things :
The operation, which spanned nine countries, resulted in 200 arrests.
3.
to stretch right across sth, from one side to the other
SYN cross :
a series of bridges spanning the river
■ adjective
•
IDIOMS
see spick
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English , distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger , of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan .