wingspan

American

[wing-span] / ˈwɪŋˌspæn /

noun

the distance between the wing tips of an airplane.
wingspread.

wingspan British

/ ˈwɪŋˌspæn, ˈwɪŋˌsprɛd /

noun

the distance between the wing tips of an aircraft, bird, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wingspan

First recorded in 1915–20; wing + span ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The jet is 64 feet long with a 43-foot wingspan.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

As the final seconds ticked on with Newcastle pressing for a point, Donnarumma employed that giant wingspan to stretch away low to his right to turn away Harvey Barnes' goal-bound shot.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Today’s decision reveals California’s considerable wingspan: That case’s ipse dixit now apparently governs all APA challenges to grant-funding determinations that the government asks us to address in the context of an emergency stay application.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026

The FLM 136 drone closely resembles the Shahed-136, with a triangular wingspan measuring just over 8 feet, according to the company’s website.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

Etched against the bright sky is a bird with a broad wingspan.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023