EN

Synonyms for span

  • noun
  • verb

Most common

distich duad time interval bridge hull convex hull handspan

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Pair

couple, two, pair, yoke, team, brace, dyad, twain, twosome, couplet, duo, duet, distich, duad

2. Time interval

period, time, no time, time interval, minute, while, moment, space, bit, spurt, instant, crack, stound dated

Other

bridge, straddle, hull, convex hull, palma, handspan

Verb

1. Cross

cross, sweep, traverse

Other

reach

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    The full width of an open hand from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger used as an informal unit of length.

  2. n. 2

    Any of various traditional units of length approximating this distance, especially the English handspan of 9 inches forming ⅛ fathom and equivalent to 22.86 cm.

  3. v. 1

    To extend across (a gap or space between two sides).

    The suspension bridge spanned the canyon.

Related words

Word family
spank spanner spanworm spang
Phrases
affine span arm span linear span time span spick-and-span

Forms

Plural
spans → couples, twos, pairs, yokes…
Past participle
spanned
e.g. spanned → crossed, swept, traversed, reached…

Example sentences

  • bridge This is longer than any other bridge in the world.
  • hull Hull was given immediate orders to invade Canada.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
spansteady
distichfalling
duadrising
bridgesteady
hullsteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
two1, bit1, duo2
4 letters
time1, team1, pair1, hull1, duet2, yoke1, dyad2, duad
5 letters
while1, space1, cross1, reach1, crack1, sweep1, brace1, twain1, palma2, spurt1
6 letters
couple2, period3, moment2, minute2, bridge1, stound
7 letters
instant2, couplet, twosome2, distich
8 letters
traverse2, straddle2, handspan

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (duo2 = 2 syllables).