wingspread

noun

wing·​spread ˈwiŋ-ˌspred 

: the spread of the wings : wingspan

specifically : the extreme measurement between the tips or outer margins of the wings (as of a bird or insect)

Examples of wingspread in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By comparison, the snappily dressed kids in group shots typically arrange themselves in poses, crouching with their arms upraised or wingspread like the Jackson 5 or folded on their chests B-boy style. —New York Times, 6 Apr. 2022

The California condor has an enormous wingspread approaching 10 feet with long primaries splayed like fingers and long white triangles on its underwings. —Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2022

The Pegasus is the most difficult inflatable KDF has in the parade because of the surface area with the wingspread and trying to keep her upright and straight. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 28 Apr. 2022

Tall stately birds with long necks and legs and fairly long bills, the greater sandhill cranes stand about 4 feet tall, have a wingspread of nearly 7 feet and weigh up to about 12 pounds. —Jim Gilbert, Star Tribune, 20 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wingspread

noun

wing·​spread -ˌspred 

: wingspan

especially : the distance between the tips of the fully extended wings of a bird, bat, or insect