Spanned: meaning, definitions and examples

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spanned

 

[spændɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

action performed

The term 'spanned' is the past tense of the verb 'span'. It refers to the action of extending across a certain distance, area, or time. This can mean covering something physically, like a bridge spanning a river, or metaphorically, like spanning several decades of history. It is often used in both technical and everyday contexts to describe measurement, reach, or coverage.

Synonyms

bridged, crossed, extended.

Examples of usage

  • The bridge spanned the entire length of the river.
  • Her career spanned over three decades.
  • The artist's influence spanned multiple art movements.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from the Old English 'spanian,' which meant to stretch or extend.
  • It has connections to the Proto-Germanic word '*spanan,' which also relates to stretching.
  • The 'span' in English has been used since the 14th century to describe the distance across something.

Science

  • In physics, span can refer to the distance a wave stretches across space or through mediums.
  • In biology, the span of an animal's wings can define its flying capabilities.
  • Span is used in architecture to describe the distance between supports in structures, such as bridges.

Culture

  • In literature, spanning across different times or places can create a rich narrative experience.
  • When artists 'span' multiple genres or styles, they often create crossover works that blend elements from each.
  • Historical events are often described as having 'spanned' generations, indicating their long-lasting impact on society.

Mathematics

  • In geometry, the concept of span refers to the smallest set of vectors that can represent all elements of a certain space.
  • In statistics, span can describe the range of values in a dataset, showing the extent of variation.
  • Span in computer science can refer to the coverage of data across networks, indicating how wide a system's reach is.

Technology

  • In computing, data spanned across multiple systems can improve processing efficiency and storage.
  • Span in networking refers to how connections reach across different devices, enhancing communication.
  • Cloud computing services often span various locations globally, allowing for streamlined access to resources.

Translations

Translations of the word "spanned" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cobriu

🇮🇳 फैल गया

🇩🇪 überdeckt

🇮🇩 meliputi

🇺🇦 покритий

🇵🇱 pokryty

🇯🇵 広がった

🇫🇷 étendu

🇪🇸 cubierto

🇹🇷 kapladı

🇰🇷 덮인

🇸🇦 مغطى

🇨🇿 pokrytý

🇸🇰 pokrytý

🇨🇳 覆盖

🇸🇮 pokrit

🇮🇸 þakinn

🇰🇿 жабылған

🇬🇪 დაფარული

🇦🇿 örtülmüş

🇲🇽 cubierto

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,302, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.