span
/spæn/ (bre, ipa) · /spæn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspan/ (ame, mw)
span — noun
- spansingular
- spansplural
1. how long something continues to exist, work, or be available, measured from its
how long something continues to exist, work, or be available, measured from its beginning to its end
The average human attention span has become shorter in the digital age.
collocation: attention span
Faisal completed the entire project within a span of just three weeks.
grammar: a span of + time period
Tyler noticed his concentration span grew shorter after long hours of screen work.
The life span of a pet tortoise can easily reach eighty years in good conditions.
- instant
a single moment rather than a measured duration
文法句型
a span of + period
用法筆記
Often paired with a modifier like 'attention,' 'life,' 'concentration,' or 'time' to specify what kind of duration is being measured.
常見錯誤
2. the full distance between one end of an object or open space and the opposite en
the full distance between one end of an object or open space and the opposite end
The garden wall measured a span of nearly twelve metres from house to gate.
collocation: span of [enclosure]
The wings of that bird have an impressive span of nearly two metres.
collocation: wingspan / wing span
Aylin measured the span of the window frame before buying new curtains.
The bridge has a total span of almost five hundred metres from bank to bank.
- narrowness
the quality of being small in width
文法句型
the span of + noun
3. the section of a bridge, arch, or other structure that stretches between two sup
the section of a bridge, arch, or other structure that stretches between two supporting points
The central span of the bridge was rebuilt after the earthquake damaged its supports.
Engineers designed a single concrete span to connect the two sides of the valley.
collocation: single span
Each arch span of the old aqueduct was built from local limestone blocks.
Ingrid studied how the bridge span handled strong winds during the typhoon season.
文法句型
a single-span bridge; span of + number + metres
用法筆記
Frequently used in civil engineering and architecture to describe bridge or roof structures. The 'span' is specifically the unsupported section between piers or columns.
常見錯誤
4. a historical unit based on the greatest distance possible between the thumb tip
a historical unit based on the greatest distance possible between the thumb tip and the tip of the smallest finger when the hand is opened wide, about 23 centimetres
In medieval times, cloth was often measured by the span of a hand.
historical usage
Old texts describe the statue as standing just three spans tall.
Mathieu learned that a span was used by tailors before standard rulers became common.
The carpenter's handbook defined a span as roughly nine inches across.
- handbreadth
a related but different measure based on the palm, not the spread fingers
用法筆記
Chiefly found in historical writing, traditional crafts, or descriptions of pre-modern measurement systems. Not used in modern everyday contexts.
span — verb
- spanpresent simple I / you / we / they
- spanshe / she / it
- spannedpast simple
- spanning-ing form
1. the past tense of 'spin', describing a turning motion or the twisting of fibres
the past tense of 'spin', describing a turning motion or the twisting of fibres into thread that took place before now
Nikhil span around sharply when he heard a loud crash in the kitchen behind him.
past tense of spin: turn around quickly
Tamás span the classroom globe and stopped it with one finger on his home country.
past tense of spin: make rotate
Nia span fresh wool into thick yarn while her children played near the fireplace.
The young ice skater span three times in a row before her partner caught her gliding away.
- spun
the standard modern past tense of 'spin' in both American and British English
文法句型
span + object (for transitive uses of spin)
用法筆記
This is the simple past form of 'spin.' In modern American English, 'spun' is far more common; 'span' as the past tense is primarily British and less frequent in contemporary use.
常見錯誤
2. to last across a particular period of time from the beginning to the end, withou
to last across a particular period of time from the beginning to the end, without interruption
Heather's career in journalism spanned more than four decades.
collocation: span + career / lifetime / period
The empire spanned three centuries before finally collapsing.
Ezra's research on ocean pollution spanned nearly fifteen years of field studies and lab work.
The dynasty spanned over four hundred years, from the twelfth to sixteenth century.
- last
more everyday; 'last' is simpler and fits short durations
- cover
emphasises the full extent rather than the endpoint
- extend over
more formal; used in written reports
- momentary
lasting only a moment
文法句型
span + period of time
用法筆記
Subject is usually a career, relationship, civilisation, or other entity with a defined start and end. Not used for short, everyday events.
常見錯誤
3. to stretch from one side of a physical gap to the other side, especially a bridg
to stretch from one side of a physical gap to the other side, especially a bridge or arch over a river, valley, or road
A stone bridge spans the river near the old mill.
typical pattern: [structure] spans [gap]
Zola watched the workers build a steel arch that would span the railway tracks.
A wooden footbridge spans the stream behind Eri's cottage.
A steel-and-concrete bridge now spans the gorge near Yara's hometown market.
- cross
simpler and more general; 'cross' can be used for people and vehicles, while 'span' is about the structure itself
- bridge
can also be a verb; 'bridging' emphasises connecting two sides
- extend across
more formal and descriptive
文法句型
span + river / valley / gap
用法筆記
Subject is always a structure (bridge, arch, beam, cable) or something functioning like one. The object is the gap being crossed, not the land on either side.
常見錯誤
4. to cover a wide variety of subjects, places, or activities within a single conti
to cover a wide variety of subjects, places, or activities within a single continuous range
Soraya's research interests span biology, chemistry, and environmental science.
pattern: interests span [list of fields]
The museum collection spans several continents and many historical periods.
Kofi's musical tastes span classical, jazz, and electronic music genres.
Paloma's professional work spanned architecture, urban planning, and landscape design.
- cover
more neutral and common; 'cover' is less dramatic about the breadth
- encompass
more formal and suggests a completeness
- range over
emphasises movement across different areas
文法句型
span + subjects / areas / topics
用法筆記
Subject is often a person's knowledge, interests, or career, or a collection. The object usually lists diverse categories to emphasise breadth.
常見錯誤
span — adjective
- spanpositive
- spannercomparative
- spannestsuperlative
1. extremely clean, tidy, and well organised, as if everything has just been cleane
extremely clean, tidy, and well organised, as if everything has just been cleaned or put in order
Lan spent the whole morning cleaning until the apartment was spick and span.
informal idiom: spick and span
Adina walked into the kitchen and found it spick and span, with every dish put away.
After the renovation, the old hotel rooms were spick and span and ready for guests.
Owen insisted the workshop be spick and span before the safety inspector arrived.
- spotless
more formal and focuses on absence of dirt rather than overall tidiness
- immaculate
more formal and suggests perfection
- pristine
suggests an untouched, brand-new state
文法句型
be/look spick and span
用法筆記
Used only in the fixed phrase 'spick and span.' It never appears as 'spick' or 'span' alone in this sense. Common in informal British and American English.