The distance or length between two points or supports; the breadth or reach of something from end to end.
The span of the bridge is 500 meters.
A pair of animals, especially horses, matched in appearance and action and driven together.
The farmer drove a span of horses to plow the field.
A unit of measurement equal to the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended, approximately 9 inches.
The craftsman measured the wood using a span.
A length or interval of time.
Over a span of ten years, the village doubled in size.
spanverb
To extend across a period of time or a range of subjects.
Her career spanned four decades, during which she achieved numerous accolades.
To stretch or reach across a physical space or distance.
The bridge spans the river, connecting the two towns.
To measure the extent, length, or width of something, especially by placing the thumb and little finger at its limits.
He spanned the beam with his hand to estimate its width.
spanadjektiv
Relating to or designating a span in length or time; forming or constituting a span.
The span length ratio is a critical parameter in bridge design.
spinverb
To turn or cause to turn or whirl around quickly.
The dancer spun gracefully across the stage.
To draw out and twist fibers into thread.
She learned how to spin wool into yarn.
To produce or create something rapidly or easily, often a story or idea.
He can spin a tale that captivates his audience.
To cause to rotate rapidly, often used in the context of machinery or devices.
The engine spun the propeller at high speed.
To present information in a particular way, often to influence perception.
The politician tried to spin the news to his advantage.
To impart rapid rotation to a ball so that it deviates in flight or after bouncing, as in cricket, tennis or table tennis.
She spun the tennis ball with topspin to keep it in court.