Spanners meaning : A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts; a wrench. One who, or that which, spans. A hand tool shaped like a small crank handle, for winding the spring of a wheel lock on a musket. A device in early steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam. A problem, dilemma or obstacle; something unexpected or troublesome (in the phrase spanner in the works) (mildly) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language.