nounπShareA hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts; a wrench."I used a spanner to tighten the bolts on my bicycle. "itemmachinetechnicalworkChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareOne who, or that which, spans."The mountain range was a natural spanner across the valley, making direct travel impossible. "technicalutensilmachineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket."The museum displayed a musket alongside its spanner, used to wind the lock. "utensilweaponhistorymilitaryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam."The engineer adjusted the spanner on the old steam engine, carefully timing the admission of steam to each cylinder. "technologydevicemachinetechnicalhistoryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works)"The unexpected power outage threw a spanner in the works for our online exam. "situationbusinessChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(mildly) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.""Mark is such a spanner; he keeps forgetting to save his work, and then he has to do it all again." "personlanguagecharacterChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
