wingspan

noun

wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan How to pronounce wingspan (audio)
: the distance from the tip of one of a pair of wings to that of the other
also : span sense 2c

Examples of wingspan in a Sentence

The hawk has a wingspan of about three feet. a plane with a 200-foot wingspan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Has a good wingspan at 6-6, has a great handle and can shoot off the bounce while also taking it to the rim. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Acuff, 19, is 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds with a 6-7 wingspan. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 Roughly the size of a small kitchen refrigerator with a 40-foot solar wingspan, Link sports three arms with a reach of just over 3 feet. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Roughly the size of a small kitchen refrigerator with a 40-foot solar wingspan, Lift sports three arms with a reach of just over 3 feet. — CBS News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wingspan

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wingspan was circa 1917

Rhymes for wingspan

See All Rhymes for wingspan

Browse Nearby Words

wing snail
wingspan
wingspread
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wingspan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wingspan. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wingspan

noun
wing·​span ˈwiŋ-ˌspan How to pronounce wingspan (audio)
: the distance between the tips of a pair of wings (as of a bird or an airplane)

More from Merriam-Webster on wingspan

Nglish: Translation of wingspan for Spanish Speakers

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