[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/spanner/)

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# spanner

noun (a spanner, spanners)

«spanner» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A spanner is a metal tool for turning nuts and bolts to make them tight or loose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#m1)

### In the lessons

Used in everyday life and design and technology lessons: tools for fixing bikes, cars and furniture. Idiom (UK): "throw a spanner in the works" means spoil a plan.

### Examples

- Dad used a spanner to fix my bike. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#x1)
- Pass me the spanner, please. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#x2)
- Turn the spanner to tighten the nut. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#x3)
- The plumber has a big spanner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#x4)
- The rain threw a spanner in the works of our picnic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#x5)
- Use the right size spanner for the nut. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/#x6)

### Note

Countable. UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland "spanner" = USA and Canada "wrench". Not the same as a screwdriver.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «spanner» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spanner/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«spanner» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spanner.html) on Mova free.