A wrench (or spanner outside of North America) is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects-usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts-or keep them from turning.
In Commonwealth English (excluding Canada), spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non-fastening devices (eg tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench - an adjustable pipe wrench.
In North American English, wrench is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-end wrenches and box-end wrenches. In American English, a spanner refers to a series of pins or tabs around the circumference. In American commerce, such a wrench may be called a spanner wrench to distinguish it from the British sense of spanner.
Higher quality wrenches are usually made from chromium-vanadium alloy tool steels and are often drop-forged. They are frequently chrome-plated to resist corrosion and for ease of cleaning.
Hinged tools, such as pliers or tongs, are not considered wrenches in English, but exceptions are plumber wrenches (pipe wrenches in British English) and Mole wrenches (sometimes Mole grips in British English).
The word can also be used in slang to describe an unexpected obstacle, for example, "He threw a spanner into our plans" (in U.S. English, "monkey wrench").
