span
span /sp'æn/ (spans spanning spanned)
1 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A span is the period of time between two dates or events during which something exists, functions, or happens.
The batteries had a life span of six hours...
Gradually the time span between sessions will increase.
2 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
Your concentration span or your attention span is the length of time you are able to concentrate on something or be interested in it.
His ability to absorb information was astonishing, but his concentration span was short...
3 [VERB] no passive, V n, V n
If something spans a long period of time, it lasts throughout that period of time or relates to that whole period of time.
His professional career spanned 16 years...
The film, spanning almost a quarter-century, tells the story of Henry Hill...
4 [VERB] no passive, V n
If something spans a range of things, all those things are included in it.
Bernstein's compositions spanned all aspects of music, from symphonies to musicals.
5 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
The span of something that extends or is spread out sideways is the total width of it from one end to the other.
It is a very pretty butterfly, with a 2 inch wing span...
6 [VERB] V n
A bridge or other structure that spans something such as a river or a valley stretches right across it.
Travellers get from one side to the other by walking across a footbridge that spans a little stream.
7
see also spick and spanspick and span /sp'ɪk ənd sp'æn/
also spick-and-span
[ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
A place that is spick and span is very clean and tidy.
The apartment was spick and span.
1 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A span is the period of time between two dates or events during which something exists, functions, or happens.
The batteries had a life span of six hours...
Gradually the time span between sessions will increase.
2 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
Your concentration span or your attention span is the length of time you are able to concentrate on something or be interested in it.
His ability to absorb information was astonishing, but his concentration span was short...
3 [VERB] no passive, V n, V n
If something spans a long period of time, it lasts throughout that period of time or relates to that whole period of time.
His professional career spanned 16 years...
The film, spanning almost a quarter-century, tells the story of Henry Hill...
4 [VERB] no passive, V n
If something spans a range of things, all those things are included in it.
Bernstein's compositions spanned all aspects of music, from symphonies to musicals.
5 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
The span of something that extends or is spread out sideways is the total width of it from one end to the other.
It is a very pretty butterfly, with a 2 inch wing span...
6 [VERB] V n
A bridge or other structure that spans something such as a river or a valley stretches right across it.
Travellers get from one side to the other by walking across a footbridge that spans a little stream.
7
see also spick and spanspick and span /sp'ɪk ənd sp'æn/
also spick-and-span
[ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
A place that is spick and span is very clean and tidy.
The apartment was spick and span.