span·ner [spannerspanners] BrE [ˈspænə(r)] NAmE [ˈspænər] (BrE) (alsowrench NAmE, BrE) noun a metal tool with a specially shaped end for holding and turning ↑nuts and ↑bolts (= small metal rings and pins that hold things together) •I'll need a spanner to change the back wheel. compare ↑adjustable spanner Idiom: spanner in the works See also: ↑wrench▪ wrench in the works
Word Origin: late 18th cent.: from German spannen ‘draw tight’ + ↑-er.