span

B2
Pronunciation
/spæn/
/spæn/
Noun
9 definition(s)
1 Definition

The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; an eighth of a fathom.

2 Definition

(by extension) A small space or a brief portion of time.

Example Sentences
  • He has a short attention span and gets bored within minutes.
3 Definition

A portion of something by length; a subsequence.

4 Definition

The spread or extent of an arch or between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between supports.

5 Definition

The length of a cable, wire, rope, chain between two consecutive supports.

6 Definition

A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.

7 Definition

A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.

8 Definition

The space of all linear combinations of something.

9 Definition

The time required to execute a parallel algorithm on an infinite number of processors, i.e. the shortest distance across a directed acyclic graph representing the computation steps.

Verb
20 definition(s)
1 Definition

To extend through the distance between or across.

Example Sentences
  • The suspension bridge spanned the canyon.
2 Definition

To extend through (a time period).

Example Sentences
  • The novel spans three centuries.
3 Definition

To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object.

Example Sentences
  • to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder
4 Definition

To generate an entire space by means of linear combinations.

5 Definition

To be matched, as horses.

6 Definition

To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.

7 Definition

To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction.

Example Sentences
  • I spun myself around a few times.
8 Definition

To make yarn by twisting and winding fibers together.

Example Sentences
  • They spin the cotton into thread.
9 Definition

To present, describe, or interpret, or to introduce a bias or slant, so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance.

10 Definition

(of a bowler) To make the ball move sideways when it bounces on the pitch.

11 Definition

(of a ball) To move sideways when bouncing.

12 Definition

To form into thin strips or ribbons, as with sugar

13 Definition

To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, etc.) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.

14 Definition

To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.

15 Definition

To move swiftly.

Example Sentences
  • to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
16 Definition

To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet.

Example Sentences
  • Blood spins from a vein.
17 Definition

To wait in a loop until some condition becomes true.

18 Definition

To play (vinyl records, etc.) as a disc jockey.

19 Definition

To use an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.

20 Definition

An abnormal condition in journal bearings where the bearing seizes to the shaft that is rotating and rotates inside the journal, destroying both the shaft and the journal.