spans 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of span
as in measures
to find out the size, extent, or amount of tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spans

2 of 2

noun

plural of span
1
as in pairs

Related Words
2
as in spaces

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spans
Verb
In total, the home spans five bedrooms and nine bathrooms, including a powder room swathed in a punchy wallcovering decorated with pink pineapples. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026 The bloom spans about 6,560 square miles and includes more than 200 plant species, some sprouting from seeds and bulbs dormant for decades. — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Related Stories The collection spans low-rise and bootcut denim, cargo silhouettes, cropped baby tees, oversized jackets and statement layers. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 American Airlines plans to open a new lounge at Charlotte’s airport that will be the largest in its network, which spans hundreds of destinations worldwide. — Chase Jordan october 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026 That spans from prehistoric people to the famed Buffalo Soldiers. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 The facility spans 83,000 square feet and will employ 120 workers. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Its work this year spans requirements from the Navy, Army, and Missile Defense Agency. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 Euan Ashley is chair of the Department of Medicine at Stanford University and a physician-scientist whose research spans genomics, precision medicine, digital health, and artificial intelligence. — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spans
  1. measures
  2. pairs
  3. years
  4. gauges
  5. couples
  6. stretches
  7. weighs
  8. teams
Verb
  • The index measures factors including checks on executive power.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • At night, the bed measures in a few square inches shy of a queen at 58 x 76-in (147 x 193-cm), comfortably sleeping two people or a solo adventurer hellbent on escaping everything and everyone.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of measures
Noun
  • The show sees six pairs of contestants attempt to track down some of the biggest brains in Britain – six individuals known as The Chasers – in undisclosed locations across Europe.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Sigurd’s departure only deepens this cynicism, which Livia clings to for 27 years — until the pair reconnect on the phone for a truly excruciating conversation.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of pairs
Noun
  • Ten years ago, on Mother’s Day, Fiona Galvin reported her 17-year-old daughter missing.
    — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Over the past 10 years, Quinn has seen an increase in challenging behavior and more emotions among her 6- and 7-year-olds, with a particular ramp-up since the pandemic.
    — Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Definition of years
Verb
  • Another neat trick this TV has up its sleeve is an AI light sensor that gauges the room's ambient light and automatically adjusts the screen brightness to it.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • San Diego earned a 78 out of 100 Redfin Compete Score, which gauges how competitive a market is.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of gauges
Noun
  • The radiant setting is especially attractive to affluent couples from across Asia as well as the US, Australia, and Europe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Tokyo’s metropolitan government launched its own dating app in 2024, and by June 2026, 265 couples had married through the service, according to Global Dating Insights.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of couples
Noun
  • The second, Stillpoint, aims to release and restore calm with a deep oil-free massage, along with rocking compressions, assisted stretches, and Kansa wand techniques.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The CloudFluff Comforter wraps you in super-soft knitted cotton that breathes and stretches, with whole-piece feather silk filling for a lofty, cozy feel without the weight.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of stretches
Verb
  • Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in as the Supreme Court weighs major battles over gun rights, religious liberty, climate policy, and election laws that could reshape the legal landscape.
    — , FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But make no mistake, things are grim behind the scenes; this whole situation weighs heavily on both of them.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of weighs
Noun
  • Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor indicated the decision had nothing to do with kicker Riley Patterson.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Each team played five opponents home-and-home and 10 league teams once.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of teams

Browse Nearby Words

spanning
spans
spar
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Cite this Entry

“Spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spans. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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