Definition of spans:
(n) :
The full width of an open hand from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger used as an informal unit of length.
(n) :
Any of various traditional units of length approximating this distance, especially the English handspan of 9 inches forming ⅛ fathom and equivalent to 22.86 cm.
(n) :
(by extension) A small space or a brief portion of time.
(n) :
A portion of something by length; a subsequence.
(n) :
(architecture, construction) The spread or extent of an arch or between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between supports.
(n) :
(architecture, construction) The length of a cable, wire, rope, chain between two consecutive supports.