wingspan

noun

wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan 

: the distance from the tip of one of a pair of wings to that of the other

also : span sense 2c

Examples of wingspan in a Sentence

The hawk has a wingspan of about three feet.

a plane with a 200-foot wingspan

Recent Examples on the Web

Thybulle is listed at 6-foot-5, but is renowned for a nearly 7-foot wingspan. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

The company says the craft fly within one wingspan of the water. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Ngoy is massive — a 7-footer with a 7-foot-7 wingspan — and does most of his damage around the basket, trying to dunk everything. — Cj Moore, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Their long wingspan and streamlined bodies make flying look effortless, gliding along with just the occasional pulse of their wings. — New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wingspan

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman

Kids Definition

wingspan

noun

wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan 

: the distance between the tips of a pair of wings (as of a bird or an airplane)