Pronunciation: [spˈan] (IPA) 
The word "span" is spelled with the letters s-p-a-n. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /spæn/. The first sound in "span" is the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/, followed by the sound /p/, which is a voiceless bilabial plosive. The third sound is /æ/, a short vowel sound pronounced with the tongue low and towards the front of the mouth. Finally, the word ends with the sound /n/, a voiced alveolar nasal consonant.
Span (noun):
1. A measurement indicating the extent or distance between two ends or points. It refers to the full length, extent, or duration from one end to the other. For example, the span of a bridge is the distance between the two supports or pillars that hold it up.
2. The length or duration of time that something or someone exists or endures. It can refer to the lifespan, the time period during which a living being is alive, or the duration of an inanimate object's functionality and usefulness.
3. The maximum limit or extent within which something can occur or be effective. For instance, the span of someone's attention refers to the length of time they can concentrate or focus on something before becoming distracted.
4. The width or extent of something, such as a person's outstretched hand, wings, or similar parts. For example, the wingspan of a bird indicates the distance between the tips of its extended wings.
5. In architecture, the horizontal distance or projection between two supports, walls, or columns that carries or distributes weight or load, especially in the construction of arches or vaults.
6. The ability to stretch, reach, or extend over a particular area or distance.
• The space between the end of the thumb and the fingers when extended, usually reckoned 9 in.; the spread of an arch; short duration; a yoke of oxen.
• To measure by the hand with the fingers extended, or by encompassing the object; to spread from one side to another, as an arch; to fetter, as a horse.
• Pt. of spin, which see.
• Did spin.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "span" has various etymological origins depending on the context. Here are a few possible etymologies for different senses of the word:
1. As a noun referring to a measurement of distance:
- From Old English "spann", derived from Proto-Germanic "spannō" meaning "a span" or "the distance between the thumb and little finger when the hand is extended".
- From Proto-Indo-European "spe-", which means "to pull", and is also the origin of words like "expand" and "expense".
2. As a noun referring to a period of time:
- From Old Norse "spann" meaning "a length of time", related to the verb "spenna" meaning "to stretch out".
