span / range
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span
The distance between two outer points of an object, especially the wings of birds or airplanes, or bridges.
Der Albatros hat eine beeindruckende Spannweite von über drei Metern.
The albatross has an impressive wingspan of over three meters.
The word is made up of 'spannen' (to span) and 'Weite' (width, expanse). So it literally describes the expanse that something spans.
Die Spannweite der alten Steinbrücke ist beeindruckend.
The span of the old stone bridge is impressive.
In the literal sense, the span is often given with the preposition 'von' (of) and a unit of measurement. For example, you say that something 'hat eine Spannweite von' (has a span of) X meters.
Dieses Flugzeugmodell hat eine Spannweite von fast 80 Metern.
This airplane model has a wingspan of almost 80 meters.
In the figurative sense, 'Spannweite' (range) describes the variety within a group of things. Typical adjectives are 'groß' (large), 'breit' (broad), or 'enorm' (enormous).
Die thematische Spannweite der Konferenz war enorm.
The thematic range of the conference was enormous.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that 'Spannweite' (range) refers to abstract nouns such as 'Themen' (topics), 'Möglichkeiten' (possibilities), 'Preise' (prices), or 'Meinungen' (opinions), not to physical objects.
Die Spannweite der angebotenen Kurse reicht von Töpfern bis Programmieren.
The range of courses offered extends from pottery to programming.
The meaning in the field of statistics is purely technical language. It is used only in mathematical or scientific contexts.
In der deskriptiven Statistik ist die Spannweite ein einfaches Streuungsmaß.
In descriptive statistics, the range is a simple measure of dispersion.
distance
'Abstand' and 'Spannweite' can both mean a distance between two points. 'Abstand' is the more general word and works in many situations, for example between people, cars, or pieces of furniture. 'Spannweite' often means the distance between two outer endpoints of an object, especially with wings, bridges, or similar things. In addition, 'Spannweite' can also describe a range of possibilities or values. The words can be confused because both express a kind of width or distance. If it is only about two things and the distance between them, 'Abstand' is more natural. If it is about the full width from one end to the other, 'Spannweite' is more precise.
Die Spannweite des Flugzeugflügels ist beeindruckend.
The wingspan of the airplane wing is impressive.
Mehmet misst den Abstand zwischen dem Tisch und der Wand.
Mehmet measures the distance between the table and the wall.