Meaning 1neutral; several extended senses · 82%
To stretch or pull something until it becomes taut.
Natural examples
Wir spannen eine Leine zwischen den beiden Bäumen.
We stretch a line between the two trees.
Der Geiger spannt die Saiten seines Instruments.
The violinist tightens the strings of his instrument.
Der Sportler spannt den Bogen vor dem Schuss.
The athlete draws the bow before the shot.
Usage note
Spannen is regular and uses haben. This selected sense takes a direct object; sich spannen can describe something becoming taut.
Mini-lesson: spannen
To stretch or pull something until it becomes taut. Spannen is regular and uses haben. This selected sense takes a direct object; sich spannen can describe something becoming taut.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «spannen»?