Wingspread: meaning, definitions and examples

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wingspread

 

[ ˈwɪŋˌsprɛd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bird anatomy

Wingspread refers to the distance between the tips of a bird's wings when they are fully extended. It is an important measurement in ornithology as it can indicate the size and wingspan of various bird species. The wingspread can vary significantly among birds, with larger birds like albatrosses having an impressive wingspread compared to smaller species like finches.

Synonyms

span, wing width, wingspan

Examples of usage

  • The wingspread of the albatross can reach up to 12 feet.
  • Ornithologists often measure the wingspread of birds in flight.
  • The wingspread of the eagle allows for efficient soaring.

Translations

Translations of the word "wingspread" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dispersão de asas

🇮🇳 पंख फैलाव

🇩🇪 Flügelausbreitung

🇮🇩 penyebaran sayap

🇺🇦 розповсюдження крил

🇵🇱 rozprzestrzenienie skrzydeł

🇯🇵 翼の広がり

🇫🇷 répartition des ailes

🇪🇸 dispersión de alas

🇹🇷 kanat yayılması

🇰🇷 날개 분포

🇸🇦 انتشار الأجنحة

🇨🇿 rozšíření křídel

🇸🇰 rozšírenie krídel

🇨🇳 翅膀扩展

🇸🇮 širitev kril

🇮🇸 vængja útbreiðsla

🇰🇿 қанаттардың таралуы

🇬🇪 ქ wingspread

🇦🇿 qanad yayılması

🇲🇽 dispersión de alas

Etymology

The term 'wingspread' is derived from the combination of two English words: 'wing' and 'spread'. The word 'wing' has its origins in the Old English 'wenge', which relates to the idea of something that is spread out or extended. 'Spread' comes from the Old English 'spriǣdan', meaning to extend over a wider area. The compounding of these two words to form 'wingspread' reflects the basic idea of measuring or describing the extent of wings when fully extended. Historically, the concept has been utilized in both practical and scientific contexts, especially in the study of birds, where understanding wingspread is crucial for taxonomy, behavior studies, and ecological assessments.